SRI International to Evaluate Effectiveness of NASA Online Game Designed to Increase Student Interest in Science

MENLO PARK, Calif., Sept. 15 /PRNewswire/ -- SRI International was awarded a contract to evaluate "Astronaut: Moon, Mars, and Beyond," a NASA-themed, multi-player, online game designed to attract student interest in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) careers. The game will visualize a dynamic future in space exploration, scientific discovery, and aeronautics research.

SRI researchers will extend current models for evaluating educational games by describing the public-private partnership formed to build the game and investigating the impact of game play on students' interest in STEM content and related career fields.

"Educational online games have the potential to inspire, engage, and educate today's youth, many of whom spend much of their time in virtual spaces," said Marianne Bakia, Ph.D., senior policy analyst at SRI International and principal investigator of the study. "By providing a rigorous evaluation, we hope to offer insights to effective public-private partnerships that can contribute to online programs that increase student knowledge and interest in STEM topics."

SRI's research focus will be to enhance the educational value and improve the design of future educational games. A report will be developed for audiences interested in government – private sector partnerships as well as educational institutions seeking innovative ways to increase student interest in STEM subjects and potential careers.

Set in 2035, "Astronaut: Moon, Mars, and Beyond" takes place in a virtual depiction of our solar system, where participants control avatars that traverse space,  and other-worldly landscapes such as Mars, the asteroid belt, and moons of Jupiter or Saturn. Players, educators, scientific experts, and the public will interact with each other to win technological artifacts, build bases, and explore the solar system. Along the way, they can interact with digital content from the world of space exploration, including planetary destinations, Hubble telescope images, and prototypes of the next generation of rovers, robotics, and spacecraft.

Players begin the game by selecting a scientific profession such as a robotics engineer, space geologist, astrobiologist, or mechanical engineer, and then work individually or with a team to complete missions. The game's narrative follows a student as he or she lives an imagined life as an astronaut, launching from Earth, studying at the Arthur C. Clarke Academy Space Station, and visiting Mars and beyond.

True educational accreditation will be provided by select academic partners. The massively multiplayer game will enable students to learn and be tested on real skills through single-player and team-based space exploration missions that are scientifically accurate.

The co-principal investigators for the evaluation, Dr. Bakia and Ed Dieterle, Ed.D., both have extensive experience managing large-scale national evaluation studies and expertise researching and evaluating interactive and immersive learning innovations. They will work with a team that has recent experience conducting research on the conditions for successful implementation of educational technologies, including online courses and games.

"Astronaut: Moon, Mars, and Beyond" is being developed by NASA and a number of partners, including Project Whitecard, Virtual Heroes of Applied Research Associates, and WisdomTools.

About SRI International's Education Research

SRI International conducts education research in three main areas: education reform, education policy, and the application of technology to improve education. Our researchers study reforms that hold promise for improving the K-16 system of schooling and lifelong learning and evaluate the design, implementation and impact of educational programs, especially those targeted at disadvantaged students. We also undertake projects to examine the design, implementation and impact of policies, programs and practices in the areas of early childhood, special education, school partnerships, and community services and strategies. One of our missions is to improve teaching and learning by conducting research on the innovative design, use and assessment of interactive learning environments. A particular focus is helping educational technology firms improve their products by providing research insights and strengthening educational designs.

About SRI International

Silicon Valley-based SRI International is one of the world's leading independent research and technology development organizations. SRI, which was founded by Stanford University as Stanford Research Institute in 1946 and became independent in 1970, has been meeting the strategic needs of clients and partners for more than 60 years. Perhaps best known for its invention of the computer mouse and interactive computing, SRI has also been responsible for major advances in networking and communications, robotics, drug discovery and development, advanced materials, atmospheric research, education research, economic development, national security, and more. The nonprofit institute performs sponsored research and development for government agencies, businesses, and foundations. SRI also licenses its technologies, forms strategic alliances, and creates spin-off companies. In 2009, SRI's consolidated revenues, including its wholly owned for-profit subsidiary, Sarnoff Corporation, were approximately $470 million. Sarnoff Corporation, a leader in vision, video, and semiconductor innovations, will be fully integrated into SRI effective January 1, 2011.

SOURCE SRI International

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