SBIR PHASE II: Computer Simulation of Science and Technical Laboratory Exercises for Physically-Disabled Students

*** 9710548 Woltosz这个来自simulation Plus （Words Plus的母公司）的小企业创新研究二期项目解决了有各种残疾的学生进行物理科学实验室实验的需求。该项目建立在第一阶段工作的基础上，以及在第一阶段完成后由word Plus支持的工作，以开发有效的实验室实验计算机模拟，使严重肢体残疾的学生可以在最小的运动输入下进行实验。有能力亲身体验模拟实验的结果，并控制这些实验的设置和操作，将使学生扮演积极参与者的角色，而不是局限于他们目前的旁观者角色。这个新的机会应该会激发更多这样的学生对科学产生浓厚的兴趣。对于那些大脑功能良好，但他们的身体阻止他们参加需要更多体力的活动的人来说，科学家可能是一个理想的职业。世界著名的理论物理学家、英国剑桥大学的斯蒂芬·霍金教授（从1985年开始使用Words Plus）就是一个严重身体残疾的人通过一个开关界面就为科学做出重大贡献的典型例子。残疾人可以使用的软件也可以由健全的学生使用。鉴于许多残疾学生积极参与科学的能力似乎需要使用模拟软件，预计在所有学生的教育中使用这种软件也将变得越来越重要。它将使所有学生都能通过个人电脑增强他们的经验，通过允许模拟由于成本、安全或其他复杂性而无法在传统实验室环境中向学生展示的情况，提供更多的学习机会。＊＊＊

*** 9710548 Woltosz This Small Business Innovation Research Phase II project from Simulations Plus (parent company of Words Plus) addresses the need for students with a variety of disabilities to be able to conduct laboratory experiments in the physical sciences. The project builds on work carried out during the Phase I effort, as well as on work supported by Words Plus after the completion of Phase I, to develop efficient computer simulations of laboratory experiments that can be run by severely physically disabled students with minimal motor input. The ability to experience firsthand the results of simulated experiments and to control the setup and operation of those experiments will enable students to assume the role of active participants as opposed to being limited to their current role as spectators. This new opportunity should motivate more such students to take a lively interest in the sciences. Being a scientist can be an ideal occupation for those whose brains function well, but whose bodies prevent them from participating in activities requiring more physical proficiency. Professor Stephen Hawking, world famous theoretical physicist of the University of Cambridge in England (a Words Plus user since 1985), is a clear example of a severely physically-disabled person who is making major contributions to science through a single switch interface. Software that can be run by the physically-disabled can also be run by able-bodied students. Whereas the ability of many disabled students to participate actively in the sciences would seem to require the use of simulation software, the use of such software in the education of all students is also projected to be of growing importance. It will enable all students to augment their experiences via personal computer, providing expanded learning opportunities by allowing simulations of situations that are infeasible to present to students because of cost, safety, or other complexities in a traditional laboratory environment. ***