Dr. Wayne Saunders, curator at the San Diego Museum of Man, gave students at La Jolla Elementary School an overview of the rich cultural history behind popular childhood games to preview the museum’s upcoming exhibit “Counter Cultures: The Secret Lives of Games,” now open to the public in Balboa Park. The game expert and avid collector shared some of his personal collection of more than 1,500 games, including a 115-year-old Parker Brothers game called “Dinner” and a handcrafted Indian cloth board game called “Nine Men’s Morris.” He shared the history of game classics such as “Monopoly,” which was originally used by college professors to teach economics, and “Chutes and Ladders,” formerly a traditional Indian game of morality called “Moksha Patamu” — or “Snakes and Ladders,” used by priests to teach Hindus about karma and reincarnation. Saunders challenged the combined class of third-, fourth- and fifth-graders to design their own thought-compelling game to be judged by the museum’s board. “When you’re designing your game, think of an unusual twist you can incorporate into your game,” he advised the students. “What we’re looking for is originality, a game that plays well, is beautiful and fun to play.” Antonia LaCerda, a third-grade student at La Jolla Elementary, shared her original game idea to create a Harry Potter-themed chess game. The game will combine characters from the book series as well as her own invented characters, each with his or her own objective. “I just want to make a good game for the family to play,” she said. “My experience with game designers is that they come from all types of people,” Saunders said, emphasizing that people of all ages and interests can create a fun, unique game that challenges its players. The museum’s game design contest is divided into three age categories, including one for adults. Three winners will be invited to a special awards reception and their winning entries will be displayed in the exhibit. Saunders first began collecting games 30 years ago during a snowstorm in Cincinnati, Ohio, when he stumbled upon a book about games around the world. He is now a member of the Association of Game and Puzzle Collectors and has play-tested popular games such as “Apples to Apples” prior to their release.