Hofstra University, Hempstead, NY – Hofstra Engineering Professor David Burghardt, Ph.D., and Michael Hacker, co-directors of Hofstra's Center for Technological Literacy, have received a National Science Foundation (NSF) grant for more than $1.8 million to create a 3D gaming environment to help students learn about math and science.

"We’re developing a game for use as an instructional tool," said Mr. Hacker. "We'’re also researching the potential of gaming as opposed to more traditional instructional technology, which is lab-based where kids design and construct projects as the main instructional strategy. What they're going to do with this project is learn in a virtual gaming environment and they’re also going to build the model."

The Simulation and Modeling in Technology Education (SMTE) project will involve students being portrayed by virtual characters who have survived an earthquake in Alaska. Their task will be to construct a shelter to protect them from the cold. "They’re going to have to scrounge around for materials. They’re going to have to decide what shape the shelter should be because different shapes have different levels of heat retention," said Mr. Hacker. "They have to think about the math and think about the science in order to maximize their shelter design."
 
Once the shelter is complete, the computer program will show whether the design would have allowed the virtual characters to survive. The program will allow students to modify the design. Eventually, students would build a physical version of the shelter and compare its functionality and effectiveness to the simulated virtual models, according to Dr. Burghardt. The beta version of the game will be field tested in 12 schools across the country.

Hofstra's Center for Technological Literacy supports science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) programs in school districts, community colleges, and universities in New York state and nationally. Since its inception in 1990, the Center has received over $25 million in NSF funding.

The SMTE project is the latest Center initiative, a five-year project that develops and researches the academic potential of a hybrid instructional model that infuses computer simulations, modeling, and educational gaming into middle school technology education programs. Dr. Burghardt indicated that the $1.8 million grant is an initial award for the first three years of the program with a total award expected to be $3.2 million,

Other current Center projects are:

•    Mathematics Across the middle School MST Curriculum (MSTP) – A five-year project targeted toward improving teaching and learning in middle-level mathematics in New York.   The results indicate that math infusion in science and engineering/technology education can be effective in improving students’ mathematics performance.

•    Enhancing Science, Technology, Engineering, Education, and Mathematics Skills (Project ESTEEM) – A three-year Advanced Technological Education (ATE) project that is developing, field testing, and will disseminate high school and community college student instructional materials and related teacher support materials on how to make technological curriculum materials engaging to girls and women. 

•    Career Curriculum for Technology Project – A three-year project  that  is designing, pilot testing, and disseminating a year-long technology course for high schools, including a textbook with content and student activities driven by the Standards for Technological Literacy and connected to national mathematics and science standards.

For a full list of projects and other information on the Center for Technological Literacy, go to www.hofstra.edu/CTL .

Hofstra University is a dynamic private institution where students can choose from more than 145 undergraduate and more than 160 graduate programs in liberal arts and sciences, business; engineering; communication; education, health and human services;  and honors studies, as well as a School of Law. With a student-faculty ratio of 14-to-1, our professors teach small classes averaging 22 students that emphasize interaction, critical thinking and analysis. Hofstra offers a faculty whose highest priority is teaching excellence. The University also provides excellent facilities with state-of-the-art technology, extensive library resources and internship programs that match students’ interests and abilities with appropriate companies and organizations.  The Hofstra community is driven, dynamic and energetic, helping students find and focus their strengths to prepare them for a successful future.