Games and gamification-principles are powerful tools that increase engagement and improve learning outcomes when applied appropriately to STEM instruction. The interactive nature of games allows the player to experiment with variables and receive feedback in a low-risk environment. By testing cause and effect relationships, students can develop strong conceptual models and higher-order thinking skills. This training will introduce and discuss the application of gamification-principles by making comparisons to other pedagogical frameworks, such as Universal Design for Learning, Bloom’s taxonomy, and Backwards Design. We will highlight how games can complement existing instructional tools, support student development, and improve inclusivity, diversity, equity, and accessibility in STEM. Participants will practice applying these concepts by designing, creating, and publishing their own educational game using Twine, an open-source tool for telling interactive, nonlinear stories. Twine is easy to learn and implement; game elements consist of passages that are arranged and linked together in a highly visual storyboard. Creating a simple, text-based game only requires the application of