Award Data

DESCARTES is a game-based engineering environment where students design, test, and build projects, including boats, airplanes, and other models. The web-based student-facing environment will include challenges, topic introductions, tutorials, and tools for analyzing and improving projects. Following completion of a concept in the environment, students will then build and test real world prototypes ...

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 ...

In prior projects, including a 2015 ED/IES SBIR award, the team developed two immersive multiplayer virtual game environments. In Eco and Colony, middle school students collaboratively apply scientific practices within the virtual worlds to address challenges, such as the availability of resources and energy and maintaining clean water. With this Phase I funding, the team is developing a prototype ...

This project team will develop and test a prototype of Descartes, an online game and simulation platform for design-to-build engineering projects for students in grades 4 to 7. The prototype will include a virtual workspace for students to create and test models. Students will apply learning to design a boat using engineering principles, and the prototype will incorporate a 3D printer to create a ...

In prior research and development, the team developed AlphaBear, a mobile gaming app where students are challenged to spell words which are then used to create humorous sentences. This project will develop and test a prototype for use specifically by English Learners. The prototype will formatively assess students' vocabulary, adjust gameplay to the skill levels of individual students, and provide ...