Purpose: While there is some agreement that inquiry activities can support science learning, the time and resources necessary for such investigations in classroom settings are considerable. This team is developing Cinematic Sciences a web-based multi-media simulation platform to facilitate student learning of 8th grade National Physical Science Standards. For example, to learn the concept of balanced forces, a student using Cinematic Sciences performs a space walk to pick up a crystal on the moon. The student controls the movement of an onscreen astronaut by using a jet pack with six rockets that fire in different directions. The student must balance the force of gravity to float and unbalance the rocket forces to fly towards the crystal, pick up the crystal, and fly the astronaut back to a space shuttle. Completing these activities are intended to support the student's acquisition of the concept of balanced forces. Support materials will be embedded within the simulations to assist student and teachers with the tasks and to impart key concepts to students.

Project Activities: Project activities include the development of physics models, virtual machines (such as a jet-pack), features such as meters and vectors to help students visualize physical phenomena, and paper and web-based support materials for each simulation. In order to assess feasibility and usability, and to gather preliminary data on potential efficacy, the intervention will be used as a supplement to the curriculum in eight classrooms over a three-month period. Measures will include items from California State standardized physical science test.

Products: Products will include: a web-based intervention for 8th grade science education comprised of 20 simulations which are aligned to standards-based concepts; and a web-based tool that will allow teachers and students to create their own simulations.