By Dr Bruna Lopes
GeoFUNder
When you think of geotechnics, what pops into your head?
When you think of geotechnics, what pops into your head? That classic combo of scary formulas, cryptic charts, and soil samples with that unmistakable earthy smell? Yep, it’s all part of the package. But what if I told you it could also include games, laughter, healthy competition, and even... potatoes?
Welcome to GeoFUNa project that took geotechnical engineering by the hand and brought it on a joyride through the colourful world of active learning. Around here, we believe learning about soils, foundations, and geotechnical phenomena doesn’t have to be a grey and lonely.It can – and should – be bright, engaging, and yep, even fun.
From a Pandemic Idea to a Nationwide Project
GeoFUN started as a small (but bold!) idea. Back in 2019, I created my first geotechnical board game about soil consolidation (yep, the name was Consolidate – we’re always up for a good nerdy pun) as part of my final project for a Postgraduate Diploma in Academic Practice at the University of Strathclyde in the UK. Even then, I knew play could be a serious force in education.
Fast forward to 2020: mid-pandemic chaos, casual conversation. I reached out to Dr Mariana Chrusciak – my partner-in-crime from our postgraduation days at University of Brasília – and pitched a wild idea: let’s get students at UFRR (where she works) to create more games on different geotech topics. Spoiler: it totally worked.
And that’s how GeoFUNwas born - in true “do it yourself and share it with the world” style. Soil Character and PermeAbilitywere tested remotely via Google Slides (yep, Google Slides!), in an improvised online version that honestly worked way better than we expected.
We Grew – A Lot
Time passed, ideas kept bubbling, and in 2023, GeoFUN levelled up: we were awarded funding through CNPq Universal Call (process no. 407439/2023-4),with the fabulous Dr Mariana Chrusciak now leading the charge.
In this new phase, educators and researchers from across Brazil joined forces. Creative, passionate folks ready to turn geotechnical education upside down (in a good way!). We’re talking about names like Adriano Frutuoso da Silva, Alex Bortolon de Matos, Rafaela Silveira, John Eloi Bezerra, Vinícius de Oliveira Kuhn, Caroline Tomazoni Santos, Roberta Bomfim Boszczowski, Helena Nierwinski, Adriana Maria Tonini, Laís de Carvalho Faria Lima Lopes, Juliana Pessin, Dionatas Hoffmann Andreghetto, Márcia Maria dos Anjos Mascarenha, Andrelisa de Jesus, Camilla Rodrigues Borges, Diego Arantes Teixeira Pires, and Larissa Aguiar. Whew!
Altogether, we now have 12 amazing institutions (UFRR, UNIFSSPA, UFERSA, UFOB, UFPR, UFSC, UFOP, UFF, UFMT, UFG, IFG, and IFB) co-creating, testing, adapting, and sharing high-quality geotech learning materials – all for free.
“Fun,” Yes – But Grounded in Science
Despite the playful name and all the cheeky vibes, GeoFUN is no joke. Every game, simulation, and activity we design is rooted in solid scientific principles and the philosophy of active learning.We test everything with focus groups, run it through ethics approval, and share it freely under a CC BY-NC-ND licensebecause we believe in open science and collaboration.
So, what’s on our “board” right now?
🎲 Eight educational board games.
Each one covers a key geotechnical topic – from soil formation to unsaturated soil mechanics.
💻 Interactive simulations.
Built with Scratch, to help visualize complex stuff like shallow foundation bearing capacity.
🏗️ 3D physical models.
So you can literally see what used to be just abstract 2D sketches.
🥔 Hands-on classroom experiment guides.
Using simple materials (yes, even potatoes!) to explore unsaturated soils and suction in a super fun, low-cost way.
Our Mission?
To train a new generation of engineers who are:
🧲 Passionate about geotechnics. (even if they never thought they would be!)
🧠 Critical thinkers and able to apply concepts with creativity
🌱 Driven by innovation, sustainability, and lifelong learning
And we believe that all of this starts with how we teach – and how we learn.
Join us for a game?
This blog will be updated every two months with:
🎬 Behind-the-scenes stories
📦 Updates on our games and simulations
🎓 Thoughts on teaching and active learning
🧪 Crazy (but useful!) ways to use our materials
Plus, loads of tips on how to use GeoFUN in your classroom, events, workshops – or even at home.
The GeoFUN Team
