Oceanic Explorer Game:

Project Goals: 
To introduce science-based, educational concepts and also to raise awareness and interest in topics dealing with issues related to both marine and atmospheric environments.Based on the premise that Internet and computer-based learning is a medium that is relatively ubiquitous and engaging, we initiated the development of an oceanography game that features fundamental science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) concepts using current ocean science research as a context.Through this medium, it is our goal to acquaint users with the tools to become familiar with the various features used in the marine environment, such as acoustic methods for both the passive and active localization of underwater targets.  The mastery of the curriculum related to both the acoustic, visual, and chemical sensing of the environment involves many of the pragmatic aspects of operating and interpreting equipment at sea.Features:
  • A platform for users (teachers, students, and others) with the option to create their own content
  • Engine developed through Adobe Flash
 
General Specifications: 
Designed to align with curriculum requirements and education standards of designated school districts, the core idea is to create a virtual ocean of realistic and/or actual data that can be sampled, studied, quantified, and shared using intuitive, graphical user interface (GUI) tools.  Parallel to the exploratory component are a set of controls that define and cover a wide range of sampling protocols and hypothesis-based studies.Sample levels:
  • The collection of data to fulfill a requirement for surveying either chemical concentrations of marine mammals in the ocean
  • The sampling of virtual environments to study algal blooms, oil spills, the distribution of larval fish or invertebrates, or the placement of marine protected areas
  • Localize a pollution source via in-situ sensors such as nitrate and the use of underwater tools for water column characterization
 Click here to play the game! 
People: 
  • Principle Investigator: Jules S. Jaffe
  • Principle Engineer: Tristan M. Carland
  • Undergraduates: Cristian E. Flores, John Hsieh, Miki Nobumori
Pictures and Data: 
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