Award Data

In an effort to development more robust optical system coatings DTRA, in collaboration with Sandia National Labs, is working to characterize the degradation of optical materials for space systems when exposed to high intensely EUV/ cold x-rays. The experiments utilizes the Double Eagle z-pinch facility which generates high current, high voltage arc pinch plasma to produce an intense EUV and cold x ...

Traditional weapon systems often fail to meet the requirements of close combat typical of the previously discussed engagement, where insurgents often blend in or store weapon amongst friendly or non-combatant forces, to shield them from precision strike munitions of a technologically superior force. This type of warfare has led to an increased focus on the use of less-lethal weapons, to reduce let ...

This project team will fully develop and test AlphaBear 2, a vocabulary learning game for grade 4 to 7 students. Vocabulary is a prerequisite for academic success, as it is linked to stronger performance across academic subjects and improved reading comprehension. It is more difficult for students to participate in educational activities without understanding the key vocabulary associated with tha ...

The proposed research builds upon the work on the Children’s Progress Academic Assessment (CPAA), a computer dynamic assessment in language arts and mathematics for children in pre-kindergarten through second grade. The goal of this project is to develop new assessment technologies that will allow for real-time error analysis of children’s responses that will compliment the CPAA. The error ana ...

The Tactus Immersive Learning Environment TILE is a cost effective virtual reality platform that will enable students to participate in simulations tied to core National Science Education Standards. TILE is for use as a supplement to K 12 science curricula for primary instruction of concepts or for review for individual or small group practice. An example of how TILE might be used when learning ab ...

The potential for progressive collapse of buildings damaged by terrorist blasts represents a significant risk to building occupants. There is a need for software tools that assess the potential for progressive collapse of above ground structures. These tools should run quickly and accurately predict the collapsed region of a damaged structure. These tools would be of great value to security pla ...

Fine-scale, well-calibrated probabilistic weather forecasts are increasingly in demand for such weather-critical applications as battlespace management, and accurate prediction of high-value airborne operations. Built upon the Phase I effort we have just completed, the principal objective of this proposed study (Phase II) is to develop a reliable, efficient, and easily deployable reforecast-calibr ...

With this Phase I funding, the project team will develop and test a prototype of the Toddler App and Cane which is intended to improve functional and adaptive school readiness skills for toddlers with visual impairments. The prototype will include a wearable hardware-based cane that wraps around a child's waist and provides tactile and audio cues to facilitate walking, a curriculum with game activ ...

With this Phase I funding, the project team will develop and test a prototype of a game-based application, Keeping It Real, to promote healthy relationships and prevent sexual misconduct among high school students. The prototype will include a game-based storytelling structure with branching narrative where students' choices determine how the story unfolds, a component to promote individual and gr ...

In prior research and development (in part supported by a 2014 ED/IES SBIR award), the project team developed Mission U.S., a series of web- and app-based games for topics in U.S. history. With this Phase I funding, the team will extend Mission U.S. by developing and testing a prototype of a virtual reality (VR) platform to immerse students in transformational moments in U.S history and to guide d ...