Call For Space: An Educational Videogame For High-school Students

Paper number

IAC-07-E1.3.09

Author

Dr. Giuseppina Pulcrano, Italian Space Agency (ASI), Italy

Coauthor

Dr. Danilo Rubini, Italian Space Agency (ASI), Italy

Coauthor

Dr. Luigi Scatteia, CIRA Italian Aerospace Research Centre, Italy

Coauthor

Prof. Francesco Antinucci, CNR, Italy

Coauthor

Mr. Giovanni Bazzoni, Italy

Year

2007

Abstract

The Canale web Aerospaziale (Aerospace Web Channel) is a structured outreach project jointly lead by the Italian Space Agency and the Italian Aerospace Research Centre  to promote scientific education and space culture in the high school environment. This goal is pursued by exploiting the educational potential of cross-linking non-conventional media (such as satellite TV,  Internet, as well as interactive remote experiences) to classroom lectures. 

Within this framework, and in order to extend the reach of the program outside the school environment an educational and promotional space-themed videogame has been conceived and is now in the making. 

If adequately designed and developed, videogames are ideal learning tools both because they are motivationally appealing for young people and because they can exploit a powerful mode of experiential learning. 

The game takes space in a space exploration setting were  a space pilot cadet undertakes a variety of space missions towards his final goal. Each mission is designed to embody a specific set of scientific concepts whose knowledge is essential for its success.

The paper will describe the game in detail and will show how to put together and balance concretely the playful game component and the serious learning one within a videogame, which is the central problem of the so-called edutainment approach.  

Abstract document

IAC-07-E1.3.09.pdf

Manuscript document

IAC-07-E1.3.09.pdf (🔒 authorized access only).

To get the manuscript, please contact IAF Secretariat.