Project Activities
People and institutions involved
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Products and publications
Product: This project will fully develop NEWTON-AR, an augmented reality (AR) application-based engineering, computer science, and STEM puzzle game for children in kindergarten to grade three. Intended for use in classrooms, after-school programs, and at home, NEWTON-AR will combine AR, engineering, simulation, making, and programming into a sandbox game where students create, modify, simulate, prototype, and test contraptions to solve puzzle challenges. With each challenge many of the components have kit elements that can be fabricated and combined with virtual simulations in mixed-reality design and testing activities. NEWTON-AR will also include supporting curricular materials for teachers, student workbooks, and online media resources.
Project website:
Supplemental information
Video Demonstration of the Phase I Prototype: https://youtu.be/W76IqzRzdpI
In Phase II, the team will refine and expand the AR interface, expand the curricular aligned content for children in kindergarten to grade three, create supporting curricular units, optimize web deployment, and build out the teacher reporting dashboard. After development is complete, the researchers will conduct a quasi-experimental pilot study to assess the feasibility and usability, fidelity of implementation, and the promise of NEWTON-AR to increase children's learning in engineering topics. The study will include 24 grade 1 to 3 classrooms over 4 weeks. During the units, half of the classrooms will use NEWTON-AR and half will follow business-as-usual procedures. Researchers will compare pre- and post-test scores on standards-aligned STEM topics and attitudes towards STEM. Costs will be calculated based on the actual per student and class wide implementation costs.
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To answer additional questions about this project or provide feedback, please contact the program officer.
