Math Edutainment Software for Girls Grades 16

1
Math Edutainment Software for Girls Grades 1-6

• Emily Clarke
• Computer Systems Research
• Period 2

2
Abstract

• Edutainment math game for girls in elementary
  school
  
• Web-based
• Encourage girls to continue math, science,
  technology education
  
• Implement suggestions from GMSP, ISE, CTGTE
• Flash MX ActionScript 2.0
• Surveys to determine attitudes

3
Introduction

• Engaging, educational math game for girls in
  elementary schools
  
• Encourage girls to enroll in higher-level math,
  science, technology classes
  
• Comprehensive plot
• Diverse, all-female cast
• Seven mini-games
• Feedback system (rewarding gameplay)
• Non-stereotyped look at science in real world

4
Background

• Girls in Math and Science Partnership GMSP
  Stats and Data (2007)
  
• Boys outperform in primary science, math,
  technology classes
  
• On average, 30 points lower SAT math score
• Under enrolled in AP Computer Science, Physics
• Lower eighth grade performance in fractions,
  number sense, core sciences
  
• Less confidence in science, math abilities

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Background

• Girls in Math and Science Partnership -- Girls
  Beliefs about Science and Math (2004)
  
• More personal
• Appreciated for its own virtue (not utility)
• Feeling of control over abilities
• New Science Girl
• Rewarding, elegant, inspirational, humanitarian
• Explore math and science possibilities

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Background

• Institute of Educational Sciences -- Encouraging
  Girls in Math and Science (2007)
  
• Cognitive abilities not fixed
• Specific, prescriptive feedback
• Female role models
• Interesting, gender-stereotype free careers,
  activities
  
• Research
• Spatial skills

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Background

• Comission on Technology, Gender, and Teacher
  Education -- Tech-Savvy Educating Girls in the
  New Computer Age (2000)
  
• Edutainment specific
• Strategy
• Personal, social interactions
• Diverse, interesting characters
• Narrative plots
• Gender-stereotype free creativity
• Appropriate challenge

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Development

• Macromedia Flash MX
• ActionScript 2.0

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Implementation of Suggestions

• Advancable plot with cutscences
• Score-tracking system
• Interactive cast
• Stereotype free female characters
• Ability to study with links to content
• Character customization

Study Notebook with Links to Content
and Score Tracking
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Development

• Mini-Games
• Spatial skills assemble quadritiles for
  rocket building
  
• Flash cards help doctor take stock of medical
  supplies
  
• Word Problems mix chemicals for experiments

Screenshot from spatial skills game
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Development

• Mini-Games
• Logic build a robot to retrieve information
  from the surface
  
• Science, math trivia recover scrambled
  passwords
  
• Sequences figure out which button to press on
  an artifact
  
• Number codes decode a message using a numerical
  cue

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Progress

• Spatial skills game (debugging)
• Flash cards game (completed)
• Password game (frame)
• Character customization
• Main menu
• Loading screen
• Notebook (frame)
• Engineer, doctor, astronaut, administrator
  interactions (basic)

13
Analysis

• Release through TJHSST server
• Send game to FCPS computer teachers
• Three surveys
• Parent/teacher, after
• Educational value
• Elements of game
• Girl friendly?

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Analysis

• Student, before
• Age
• Gender
• Attitudes towards math
• Student, after
• Attitudes towards math
• Elements of game
• Replay value
• Comparison of student results
• Graph change in results
• Display of parent/teacher comments/results
• Take into consideration for revisions

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Conclusion

• Next steps
• Complete other mini-games
• Animate opening cut scene
• Provide study tips, links to research,
  activities, information
  
• Flesh out character interactions