Share Paper: Promoting Middle School Students’ Science Knowledge: The GlobalEd 2 Game

  1. Scott Brown, University of Connecticut, United States
  2. Kimberly Lawless, University of Illinois - Chicago, United States
  3. Mark Boyer, University of Connecticut, United States
  4. Mariya Yukhymenko , University of Illinois – Chicago, United States
  5. Nicole Powel, University of Connecticut , United States
  6. Kamila Browdowinska, University of Illinois – Chicago, United States
Wednesday, October 23 3:25-3:45 PM Las Vegas Ballroom 4

Abstract: The GlobalEd 2 project is a 14-week educational simulation designed to promote science knowledge among middle school students using a problem-based learning (PBL) approach situated in an international context. The results of two implementations of the game, Water Resources and Climate Change, are reported for 359 students from urban and suburban schools in two different states. Results demonstrated significant gains in science knowledge for all groups, but significantly different learning gains related to the race and gender of the students. Results are discussed within the context of PBL and gaming contexts as well as the extension of a tool in ...