AR Gamification for Science Education: 4-H To The Moon
Education
Key takeaways
The National 4-H Council collaborated with Groove Jones to create an interactive Augmented Reality (AR) experience as part of a curriculum by the University of Arizona Cooperative Extension. The aim was to engage users in the excitement of a rocket launch and inspire youth to explore the science behind it.
In this AR environment, users are presented with a rocket on a launch pad and can control variables such as mass, thrust, and duration to ensure a successful launch. After launching the AR experience, users land on a page where they can tap a button to play in AR. They then craft their virtual rocket, preparing it for liftoff to the moon.
Users can adjust elements like fuel reserves, engine numbers, and engine cut-off times using sliders. They can also customize the rocket's appearance by tapping on it. Different rocket components are explained, such as the Capsule, Fuel Tanks, and Engines, to help users make informed adjustments. Once the rocket is ready, it launches into space, and users find out if they've successfully landed their capsule and astronaut on the moon. If they overshoot or come up short, they can try again and improve their strategy.
