Games, Simulations and Virtual Labs for STEM/Science EducationLocation: Posters; Level 3, Skyline Ballroom Pre-function, Table 10 |
Participate and share : Poster
Tuesday, June 26, 1:15–3:15 pm
Location: Posters; Level 3, Skyline Ballroom Pre-function, Table 10
Dr. Randy Russell
Get a demo of several computer-based and tabletop games and simulations for teaching science and related STEM topics. We'll address Earth science topics and overlap into physics, chemistry and computational thinking. We'll also share a compendium of STEM games and simulations from various sources.
Skill level: | Beginner |
Attendee devices: | Devices useful |
Attendee device specification: | Smartphone: Windows, Android, iOS Laptop: Chromebook, Mac, PC Tablet: Android, iOS, Windows |
Focus: | Digital age teaching & learning |
Topic: | Game-based learning and gamification |
Grade level: | PK-12 |
Subject area: | STEM/STEAM, Computer science |
ISTE Standards: | For Educators: Designer
Computational Thinker
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Participants who attend our session will walk away with references to and information about numerous games and simulations for science education that they can incorporate into their own teaching. They will also experience demonstrations of several of these resources, allowing them to better assess their suitability for use by participants. As the use of online and blended-learning technologies grows, the need for "minds-on" activities that require students to form and test hypotheses (similar to laboratory and field experiences in the physical world) will also increase.
Our education center is embedded in a large scientific research lab - the National Center for Atmospheric Science (NCAR) - which is a leading climate and weather research center. Our center has both developed games and simulations for science education AND assembled an extensive list of similar resources from a wide variety of sources (universities, NASA, NOAA, EPA, commercial vendors, etc.). Our session will allow attendees to:
1) test drive or see demonstrations of several simulations and games for science education
2) learn about and gain access to our extensive compendium of science education games and simulations from various sources
3) experience several games and simulations developed by our group (the Very Simple Climate Model, Cloud Sorting and Matching Games, Tree Ring Paleoclimate Simulator, Virtual Ballooning, Chemistry Matching Game, etc.)
4) see early demonstration versions of our fledgling VR and AR resources in development
Experts advocating for games in ed: James Gee, Jane McGonigal
Projects that illustrate the utility of simulations for science education: PhET (phet.colorado.edu) and various items by the Concord Consortium (learn.concord.org)
Computer Programming in the Curriculum
Getting Started with Stations-Based Instruction: Meeting the Needs of All Learners
Power Up PD: Top 10 Workshops for 1:1