Project Based Learning Electives provided by the Berrien Springs Virtual Academy
Board Games (Eurogames): Game Analysis & Strategy Fall 2025
All students must complete a project for these classes.
*Find this class listed under the Critical Thinking category during registration.
Instructors: Jan Sigvartsen PhD, Leanne Sigvartsen
Email: lsigvart@gmail.com
Phone: 269-363-3968
Ages: 10-18
Location: Orientation at the Berrien Springs Old Courthouse, classes at the Berrien Springs Community Library, see syllabus for details
Required Orientation: August 26th or 28th, 6pm-8pm
Class Day & Time: Tuesdays OR Thursdays 6pm-8pm, see syllabus for details
Course Overview: “German/European Style” board gaming (Eurogames) is an exciting game genre that developed in the late 1970’s. Eurogames are a class of complex board games that teach strategy and critical thought (more on the level of chess), but are also designed to be highly social, engaging, collaborative, and suitable for those aged 10 and upwards. Eurogames are very popular globally because they are not simple party games heavily built on luck, nor are they highly adversarial, where players are eliminated. Rather, there are multiple ways to earn points, games are shorter(30-90 minutes), and all players are engaged and use teachable strategies based on critical thought to play until the unpredictable end. Players do not have to be in conflict with others – they can build alliances and are resource or strategy-based (not conflict-based) making them ideal social games.
In this class, conveniently held in the Berrien Springs Community Library, you will learn how to play a number of “German/European Style” strategy and critical board games and, at the end, compete in a local tournament with prizes (if you want to). You will develop critical thinking skills, learn how to be a good sport, and master screen-free social gaming where you can see and develop friendships with your fellow players.
Some of the games we have available to learn to play include: Settlers of Catan (plus expansions),Ticket to Ride (plus variations), Carcassonne, Goa, Pirate’s Cove, Alhambra, Caylus Magna Carta, Prince of Florence, In the Year of the Dragon, Attika, Tikal, Java, Mare Nostrum, China, El Grande, Puerto Rico, Tigris and Euphrates, St Petersburg, Patrician – Towering Glory, Ark of the Covenant, Louie XIV, Yspahan, and Thurn and Taxis.
A parent or guardian over 18 can accompany you if they would like to, but it is not required. Friends or siblings under 18 must be registered with the Parent Partnership in order to participate.
Board Games (Eurogames): Game Analysis & Strategy Syllabus
*Please note: it is important to make as informed a decision as possible when choosing your student's Community Resource classes. Most locations will allow a student to drop a class after one meeting, at no charge if it wasn't a good fit for the student, but not all. Some classes plan ahead based on the number that have signed up and have purchased materials, hired teachers, etc. and there might be a fee for class time or materials given to the student if the student drops after one or two meetings. The school cannot pay for classes that students do not complete, so choose wisely; if you do not take the class off of your student's schedule by the deadline, you may be asked to pay for the class time incurred prior to dropping the class.
Teacher of Record: Becky Howard K-8 and Mark Ring 9-12
