The Observatory

2020 was a challenging year, but we were fortunate enough to have some positive experiences. We asked our team in January for their best memories of 2020 and wanted to share our favorites!

Partnering with Grifols to spread awareness about COVID-19

 

COVID-19 caused 2020 to plummet into a downward spiral, and research for treatments and vaccines began immediately.  Grifols, a global healthcare company and industry leader in producing plasma-derived medicines and transfusion medicine, launched a campaign spreading awareness about COVID-19. Carimus partnered with Grifols for this campaign, and we are honored to be part of such an impactful project. 

It’s been found that convalescent plasma, which is plasma obtained from patients who recovered from COVID-19, can be used as a therapeutic option and help combat the virus. This is because the convalescent plasma contains antibodies that are specific in fighting against SARS-CoV-2, which is the virus that causes COVID-19. 

These SARS-CoV-2 antibodies are proteins that help fight the virus, called immunoglobulins.

The hope is that convalescent plasma can be used in creating an anti-SARS-CoV-2 medicine, called a hyperimmune globulin. The plasma can also be used as a direct transfusion to help the patient infected with COVID-19.

In order to make this information more easily accessible to the public, Grifols tasked Carimus with helping them update their website featuring their findings and plan revolving around COVID-19.

For this campaign, created graphics for social postings, the website and even a donation safety video, which shows the safety precautions Grifols plasma donation centers are taking to keep both their staff and donors healthy.

This collaboration with Grifols is definitely one of our highlights for 2020, due to the fact that it embodies Carimus’ values; working on impactful projects with the people and companies we admire.

Missions with Monty

 

Another highlight for Carimus in 2020 was our collaboration with North Carolina State University and Penn State University to create the game, Missions With Monty. The purpose of Missions With Monty is to turn the science curriculum into a fun and educational gaming experience for fifth-grade students.

There are several benefits to introducing a STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) curriculum at a young age. STEM education lays the foundation for future learning, due to it encouraging students to think outside the box, ask questions, make mistakes and listen to others. 

Another important reason to introduce STEM education at a young age is to encourage girls to pursue jobs in STEM. According to the National Girls Collaborative Project, women make up only 28% of the STEM workforce.

Taking place at “Wildlife University,” the player has been invited by Professor Monty, (a monitor lizard) to research and learn about protecting the surrounding environment. However, once the player arrives, they learn the animals in the surrounding areas are getting sick. To top it all off, Monty has gone missing! It’s your job to figure out why the animals are sick and find Monty.

The game features 2D talking animals and a mission for the player to focus on, and who doesn’t love talking animals?

Missions With Monty was created at the perfect time because it was released shortly before school was moved online due to COVID-19.

Carimus had the chance to bring NCSU’s and Penn State’s vision to life through the use of Game Maker Studio 2. 

We also gained more experience with doing user analytics, plus, we had the chance to learn more about the environment through the production of the game!

We are excited to keep working on impactful projects, and we can’t wait to see what 2021 has to offer!