ELVIS: Engaging Learners in Virtual Interactive Science

我们希望开发一些STFC天文学、空间科学和粒子物理设施的虚拟版本，并在其中填充化身(基于实际的科学家)，这些化身可以与用户互动，并向他们传授他们在屏幕上看到的科学和技术。我们将使用Think WorldsTM，这是一个成熟的教育工具，用于制作3D环境，用户可以在其中探索、互动、参与、提问和一般体验(在虚拟意义上)。该项目将分两个阶段交付。第一阶段将在第一年完成，旨在创造基于以下方面的学习体验：i)ISIS第二个目标站II)Herschel空间天文台III)钻石光源使用Think WorldsTM技术，学习者将能够在ISIS第二个目标站周围走动，与处于材料研究前沿的英国科学家见面，他们将发现这项研究如何使他们能够取得突破，为下一代超高速计算机、数据存储、传感器、制药和医疗应用、材料加工、催化、生物技术和清洁能源技术奠定基础。学习者还可以参观赫歇尔太空天文台，发现除了观察我们自己的星系及其演化之外，赫歇尔还将研究早期宇宙中星系是如何在大范围内形成的。他们将能够见到设计和使用天文台的科学家。学员将被带到钻石光源，会见在该设施工作的科学家，并发现和了解正在发生的世界领先科学。他们将能够观察光束线的三个区域，并了解光学舱、实验舱和控制舱如何促进科学家进行他们的研究。

We wish to develop virtual versions of a number of STFC astronomy, space science and particle physics facilities, and populate them with avatars (based on actual scientists) who can interact with users and teach them about the science and technology they are seeing on screen. We will use Thinking WorldsTM, a well-established and proven educational tool for producing 3D environments, within which users can explore, interact, engage with, question and generally experience (in a virtual sense). The project will be delivered in two phases. Phase one to be completed in the first year, will be aimed at creating learning experiences based around the: i) ISIS Second Target Station ii) Herschel Space Observatory iii) Diamond Light Source Using the Thinking WorldsTM technology, learners will be able to walk around the ISIS Second Target Station to meet the UK scientists at the forefront of materials research, they will discover how this research enables them to make breakthroughs that will underpin the next generation of super-fast computers, data storage, sensors, pharmaceutical and medical applications, materials processing, catalysis, biotechnology and clean energy technology. The learner can also visit the Herschel Space Observatory and discover that as well as looking at our own galaxy and its evolution, Herschel will look at how galaxies formed in the early Universe on a grand scale. They will be able to meet the scientists who designed and use the observatory. The learner will be taken to the Diamond Light Source, meet the scientists working at the facility and discover and understand the world leading science that is taking place. They will be able to look at the three areas of a beamline and understand how the optics hutch, experimental hutch and the control cabin facilitate scientists to conduct their research.