The Legend of the Lost Emerald, a PBS Wisconsin Education educational adventure video game, was created with the support of Fox Valley donors and won a gold medal at the 2022 International Serious Play Awards Program. The award honors outstanding commercial and student products, which incorporate game elements and were created for use in education or training.

Released in February 2022 and funded in part by a generous gift from the David L. and Rita E. Nelson Family Fund within the Community Foundation, The Legend of the Lost Emerald provides fourth- to sixth-graders the opportunity to develop critical thinking and historical inquiry skills.

Players dive underwater and gather clues to build evidence and uncover the real treasure — the stories of shipwrecks inspired by real Great Lakes history.

“I have seen the game spark many fun and meaningful learning experiences for kids,” PBS Wisconsin director of education Alyssa Tsagong says. “Creating this game with and for educators from start to finish made it what it is today: a high-quality, engaging, and beautiful learning adventure!”

PBS Wisconsin is currently partnering with the Renaissance School for the Arts in Appleton to develop new educational approaches and methods based on Appleton history.

PBS Wisconsin is also grateful for the support of other Fox Valley donors for this work.

To play The Legend of the Lost Emerald, find educator resources, and see a full list of funders, please visit pbswisconsineducation.org/emerald.

Who were the Nelsons? Learn more about the David L. and Rita E. Nelson Family Fund and find out more about this couple here.