Author: IBMLabs
Length: 02:13
MADE IN IBM LABS: IBM is making online gaming a matter of life or death for the planet ...at least virtually. The company is launching a 3D multi-player online game (www.powerupthegame.org) that will challenge teenagers to help save the planet Helios from disaster. Teens will have to beware of sandstorms, floods and "SmogGobs" while solving missions for solar, wind and water power before the planet's resources are used up. While they are doing so, kids will be employing engineering principles to rebuild wind turbines and solar panels, and make decisions about energy consumption that will effect the planet's resources. The educational game is being launched as part of Engineer's Week 2008.The goal is to take advantage of the interest in online virtual worlds to teach basic engineering principles and energy conservation and get more teens interested in math and science. It's more than just fun and games. Dramatic changes are needed to restructure our schools and prepare students for the innovation economy that they will some day lead, and these include the use of new technology such as 3D platforms. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, job growth in science, technology, engineering and math will grow 22 percent through 2014, faster than the average (13%) for all other jobs. Computer specialist occupations are expected to grow much faster at more than 30 percent. But at the same time, the U.S. grade school students continue to lag behind other parts of the world in math and science.So while players create their own avatars and meet in the Orientation Center to chat with others, they can also interact with non-playing characters who are experienced engineers from diverse backgrounds that will act as guides. The avatars will be faced with timed challenges and activities that include driving an electric-powered buggy across desert terrain to find heliostats and racinge through a "junkyard" to find parts to rebuild wind turbines. More than 200 kids provided input into the game to ensure that it is fun and I can provide you with a video clip to demonstrate the graphics and different missions.