NSF Org:	DRL Division of Research on Learning in Formal and Informal Settings (DRL)
Recipient:	TERC, INC.
Initial Amendment Date:	August 13, 2009
Latest Amendment Date:	August 13, 2009
Award Number:	0917520
Award Instrument:	Standard Grant
Program Manager:	Arlene de Strulle adestrul@nsf.gov  (703)292-5117 DRL  Division of Research on Learning in Formal and Informal Settings (DRL) EDU  Directorate for STEM Education
Start Date:	August 15, 2009
End Date:	July 31, 2011 (Estimated)
Total Intended Award Amount:	$687,831.00
Total Awarded Amount to Date:	$687,831.00
Funds Obligated to Date:	FY 2009 = $687,831.00
History of Investigator:	Jodi Asbell-Clarke (Principal Investigator) jodi_asbell-clarke@terc.edu Teon Edwards (Co-Principal Investigator) Richard Childers (Co-Principal Investigator)
Recipient Sponsored Research Office:	TERC Inc 2067 MASSACHUSETTS AVE STE 26 CAMBRIDGE MA  US  02140-1339 (617)873-9600
Sponsor Congressional District:	05
Primary Place of Performance:	TERC Inc 2067 MASSACHUSETTS AVE STE 26 CAMBRIDGE MA  US  02140-1339
Primary Place of Performance Congressional District:	05
Unique Entity Identifier (UEI):	GSLCJ3M62XX1
Parent UEI:	GSLCJ3M62XX1
NSF Program(s):	AISL, Discovery Research K-12
Primary Program Source:	04000910DB NSF Education & Human Resource
Program Reference Code(s):	7259, 9177, SMET
Program Element Code(s):	725900, 764500
Award Agency Code:	4900
Fund Agency Code:	4900
Assistance Listing Number(s):	47.076

ABSTRACT

TERC Inc. will conduct a one-year proof of concept study that includes the design, development, and research of two prototype science activities for the virtual Blue Mars Science Center located on the Blue Mars 2150 platform developed by Virtual Space Entertainment. Blue Mars is a science fiction-themed virtual world set on Mars far in the future and will be rendered in High Definition, an important incremental step in the development of highly realistic virtual worlds. It is in this virtual world context that the proposed learning activities and research are to be conducted. TERC's research will examine the challenges of learning in virtual environments and which types of tools and interactions can encourage and support collaboration, the results of which will advance both informal and formal learning in virtual worlds. Avatar tracking data, participant observations, interviews, and surveys will be used to study participants.

The project has the potential to advance areas of computational visualization systems and cognitive science and will afford an array of learning opportunities using real time data. Millions of visitors to the Blue Mars world will be able to share in an unprecedented range of virtual activities and experiences. It is anticipated that the research will inform the future development of even more advanced immersive interactivity, such as avatar-based models and computationally-oriented interactivity. The study will serve as a basis for both further development of the Blue Mars Science Center and the advancement of research on science learning in virtual worlds. The investigators are interested in continuing to expand as the scientific community evolves in the virtual world. The online world has the potential to become a powerful attractor for the general public to engage in science learning.

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