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Improving Public Awareness of Everyday Chemical Exposures through a 3-D Online Computer-Simulated Educational Game

EPA Grant Number: SU833539
Title: Improving Public Awareness of Everyday Chemical Exposures through a 3-D Online Computer-Simulated Educational Game
Investigators: Ye, En , Chang, Tiao , Fang, Yanhui , Liu, Chang
Current Investigators: Liu, Chang , Chang, Tiao , Fang, Yanhui , Siemer, Jourdan , Ye, En , Zhong, Ying
Institution: Ohio University - Main Campus
EPA Project Officer: Nolt-Helms, Cynthia
Project Period: September 30, 2007 through May 30, 2008
Project Amount: $10,000
RFA: P3 Awards: A National Student Design Competition for Sustainability Focusing on People, Prosperity, and the Planet (2007)
Research Category: P3 Challenge Area - Information Technology , Pollution Prevention/Sustainable Development

Description:

Objective:

Numerous health problems and human diseases have been found to be directly or indirectly connected to chemical exposures. For most individuals, the damage of harmful chemicals is difficult to discern because they come in minute doses. Educating people of possible chemical exposures in their daily lives is the first step to improve public health, which is one of the most important factors contributing to the prosperity of both our planet and our society. We propose to apply computer gaming technology in chemical exposure education. Second Life, a 3-D online virtual world supporting avatar-based communications and a wide spectrum of online activities, will be used as a tool for game design. Second Life will also provide a simulated environment for future game players, where they can spend a virtual day and come across various chemical exposures. The objective of the project is to bring public attention to chemical exposures through an enjoyable experience, to improve the capabilities of people to recognize the major toxins and their health problems, and ultimately to learn how to prevent exposures. The game will be demonstrated to Athens High School students and teachers, and then be used for their classes. To evaluate the outcome of the project, the project team will design surveys for Athens High School students, which include not only questions on basic knowledge of toxins, but also inquiries regarding satisfactoriness of the game.

Supplemental Keywords:

health effects, toxics, toxic material, man-made chemical, contaminant, chemical pollution, organic food, commercial food, indoor, outdoor, sustainable lifestyle, human health, potential risk, potential threat, environmental awareness, environmental engineering, computer science, Second Life, computer simulation, computer game, in-world teaching, in-world learning, virtual environment, digital game-based learning, game-like setting, Internet technology, environmental education game,

Progress and Final Reports:
Final Report

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The perspectives, information and conclusions conveyed in research project abstracts, progress reports, final reports, journal abstracts and journal publications convey the viewpoints of the principal investigator and may not represent the views and policies of ORD and EPA. Conclusions drawn by the principal investigators have not been reviewed by the Agency.

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