The primary objective of the research is to describe a methodology for developing an interactive multimedia environment that motivates young students to pursue paths of learning in science and mathematics. A varied assortment of technologies and instructional techniques are being employed to create an engaging learning environment that intuitively illustrates the meaning and significance of complex scientific principles and mathematical relationships. A Microworld is being created to allow a student to wander through a series of situations where she can learn the mathematical basis for certain natural phenomena and apply that knowledge in engaging problem solving. MathLand utilizes virtual reality techniques, hypermedia, computer graphics, animations, sound, video, and text to create a curriculum component that is compelling, participatory, and individually-paced. Non-linear pathways are provided for navigation through the material so that each session offers many possible journeys and interactions. Emphasis is placed on constructing an environment that is sensitive to the needs of underrepresented groups in the sciences. This is accomplished by incorporating ethnic and cultural data in the form of icons, contextual settings, and role models into the software architecture to motivate and encourage young students from these communities.The potential commercial application as described by the awardee: The result of the research is a completed architecture and methodology for developing a family of educational software as well as a working prototype application. The modular design of these new multimedia instructional tools allows the configuration of information delivery to be customized for technical training in the workplace, offering an additional benefit to the private sector and its workforce.
