Phase I research would provide information and feedback on our pedagogical approach and on the science content and game style that best fills the needs of this group. Focus groups with target age students and with science teachers will contribute to the design and scripting of a scientifically correct and pedagogically effective computer game. Illustrated game scenarios will be created and reviewed by large numbers of young people at Liberty Science Center. The Phase I deliverable will be a report and an illustrated script with storyboards. Phase I effort will provide the basis for cost-effective production in Phase II.Summary of anticipated results and implications:End products of Phase I would be a report on the results of research on the effectiveness of teaching basic concepts of science via a game format; and a script outline, with sample storyboards and interactivity sequences, for a marketable game on CD-ROM to enable at-risk youngsters aged 10-13 to develop an age appropriate understanding of these basic concepts.The report would also contain summary Phase II and Phase III plans for production of a full working prototype (Phase II) and distribution and marketing of the completed product (Phase III) through a commercial publisher of interactive educational media.Optimal Analysis Company hopes to demonstrate that non-violent games can be used to teach at-risk students the concepts they will need to be employed, productive and contributing members of our society.Profits from the sale of this game would be used to produce the next in a series of interactive science education products.
