Virtual Exploration of the Science of Genetics

描述（由申请人提供）：为了使国家在生命科学行业保持竞争力，国家必须培养足够数量的学生攻读生命科学学位。近年来，美国学生对科学教育和科学职业的兴趣出现了令人不安的下降。与此同时，劳动力市场对理科学位的需求正在迅速增加。拟议的研究旨在提高学生对科学的兴趣和成就。这个小企业创新研究第一阶段项目结合了三维计算机图形和游戏技术，为遗传学领域的科学教育提供了一个非线性的、沉浸式的学习环境。现代计算机模拟呈现出一种独特的能力，以一种易于理解的方式呈现科学信息。计算机图形学的技术进步为以互动方式呈现高质量的视觉模型提供了机会，这些模型可以传达科学过程，使学生的科学学习变得有趣，同时激发他们对科学的热情。提出的工具包将包括用于遗传学教学的3-D可视化，用于从第一人称角度探索遗传结构的交互式模拟环境，以及虚拟实验室实验。该工具包将在一项随机评估中进行评估，该评估将遗传学虚拟探索与传统教科书进行比较。该产品将在提高科学成就和兴趣方面发挥作用，从而影响公众健康。这将提高普通民众的健康素养，并使更多的人从事生命科学事业。

DESCRIPTION (provided by applicant): In order for the nation to remain competitive in the life science industries, the nation must produce an adequate number of students who pursue degrees in life sciences. Recent years have seen a disturbing drop in United States' student interest in pursuing science education and careers. At the same time, demand for science-based degrees is rapidly increasing in the labor market. The proposed research is targeted at improving students' interest and achievement in science. This Small Business Innovative Research Phase I Project combines 3-D computer graphics and gaming technology to provide a non-linear, immersive learning environment for science education in the genetics domain. Modern computer-simulations present a unique ability to present scientific information in an easy to understand manner. Technology advances in computer graphics present opportunities to present higher quality visual models in an interactive fashion that can convey the scientific process in a way which makes learning science fun and interesting for the students while capturing their enthusiasm for science. The proposed toolkit will consist of 3-D visualizations for teaching genetics, interactive simulation environments for exploring the genetic structures from a first person point of view, and virtual lab experiments. The toolkit will be evaluated in a randomized evaluation that compares the Virtual Exploration of the Science of Genetics with a traditional text book. The product will impact public health by playing a role in increasing achievement and interest in science. This should lead to greater health literacy for the general population, and a greater number of individuals who pursue life science careers.