Project Based Learning Electives provided by the Berrien Springs Virtual Academy
Board Games (Eurogames): Game Analysis & Strategy Spring 2026
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
Website: See tarragindi.org for more details.
Ages: 10-18
Location: Berrien Springs Old Courthouse, see syllabus for details
Required Orientation: January 6th or 8th, 6pm-8pm
Class Day & Time: Tuesdays OR Thursdays 6pm-8pm, see syllabus for details
Course Overview: Build small empires in this board gaming class that teaches you critical thinking, analysis, and strategy using civilization-building board games from Germany and Europe. Learn what goes into building a successful nation, community, city, or infrastructure using historical settings. Learn alliance strategies and resource sharing to build your infrastructure. You will also learn how to be a good sport and master screen-free social gaming, where you can see and develop strong friendships with your fellow players. To add ambiance, this class is held at a historic setting, the Berrien County Courthouse, which is the oldest courthouse in Michigan.
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.
*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: Michael Gathright
