Trigahex Earns STEM Accreditation and Top 5% Award

Trigahex has officially received STEM accreditation from STEM.org

…and it’s also been named among the top 5% of “Best in STEM” products for 2024–2025.

And I’d love to share what this means - and how Trigahex fits into the world of Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics.

STEM.org is a globally recognised accreditor of STEM-friendly educational tools, toys, and resources. They review products to see if they:

• Support logical and creative thinking

• Encourage collaboration

• Build real-world problem-solving skills

• Engage players in ways that align with STEM learning goals

When a product earns the STEM.org Authenticated™ trustmark , it means it has been evaluated and meets high standards for educational value - while still being enjoyable and accessible.

Even more exciting: Only the top 5% of those accredited products are chosen for the annual “Best in STEM” list. Trigahex made the cut for 2024–2025.

I’ve had a lot of people ask: “But how does Trigahex connect to science or tech?” It’s a great question - so I’ve broken it down below to show how each STEM area is reflected in the gameplay.

Science isn’t just lab coats and experiments - it’s about observing, understanding systems, and drawing conclusions. Trigahex helps develop these skills by encouraging players to:

• Observe patterns and player behaviour

• Recognise cause and effect (e.g. how one tile affects future possibilities)

• Make decisions based on changing systems

• Predict outcomes and revise strategies

Whether it’s kids learning about ecosystems or older players keeping their minds sharp, Trigahex trains the brain to notice details, track systems, and respond thoughtfully -just like scientists do.

Trigahex doesn’t require screens, but it absolutely supports the kind of thinking that underpins technology and computing:

• Players develop if-then reasoning , similar to how algorithms work

• They build efficient pathways - like optimising code

• They learn to plan, test, and adjust strategies, mimicking the design–debug–refine process used in tech fields

In fact, educators have told us that Trigahex helps strengthen computational thinking - the same core skill behind coding and data science - just through analogue play.

Engineering is all about finding creative ways to solve problems - and Trigahex is full of those moments. Whether you're building a bridge across the board, protecting your position, or working as a team, players:

• Design and build hex-based structures using spatial reasoning

• Work within constraints (limited tiles, blocked paths)

• Adapt to new challenges in real time

• Develop and test solutions collaboratively (especially in team play)

Each decision in Trigahex is a little engineering challenge - players are constantly adjusting and refining based on the conditions of the board.

Math is at the heart of Trigahex, even if it’s never presented as “doing maths.” Players are always:

• Recognising shapes and patterns

• Using spatial logic to place tiles effectively

• Weighing probabilities (What’s left in the draw pile? What might my opponent have?)

• Making quick mental calculations about points, paths, or strategic moves

When I created Trigahex, I was thinking more about family game nights than classrooms. But I've always believed that play is one of the best ways to learn - and it turns out, STEM agrees.

Now, with official accreditation and “Best in STEM” recognition, Trigahex can confidently sit at the table as:

• A tool for classrooms and learning centers

• A strategic challenge for adults and older players

• A quiet brain boost for ageing minds

• A way for families to connect while strengthening real-life skills

It’s still just a game - but it’s also a game with depth, flexibility, and genuine educational value.

We’re incredibly grateful for the support from the Trigahex community. A few quotes that have meant a lot to us:

“We love the strategy and simplicity of the game. Great idea.” – Jesse

“Fantastic game! We liked the flexibility (short or long game). Also the fact that it can be simple or very complex depending on how strategically you play.” – June

“Trigahex keeps my mind sharp and has become a highlight of my weekly game night with friends.” – Gail

I should also acknowledge my hairdresser who happened to tell me about STEM in the first place. She mentioned that where possible, she buys products with the STEM seal for her family.  Of course, this led me on the path to the accreditation.

I'm continuing to explore how Trigahex can serve different players and settings - from classrooms and libraries to aged care facilities and game cafés. I'm also listening closely to your feedback and ideas.

If you’re using Trigahex in an educational or therapeutic setting, I’d love to hear about it.

And if you’re just discovering Trigahex  now - welcome! I’d be thrilled for you to give the Trigahex a go.

You can:

• Buy Trigahex from our this website

• Ask your local game store or education supplier

• Follow Trigahex on socials or visit the blog for strategy tips, updates, and more

To everyone who’s supported Trigahex, played it with friends, shared it with a classroom, or just told someone else about it: thank you.

I didn’t expect to end up on a STEM list - but I'm proud to be here, and I'm even prouder to be part of a community that values thoughtful, playful learning.