This document discusses a project to connect CS-STEM students across the United States for collaboration and learning using virtual worlds and other technologies. It notes declines in students pursuing CS-STEM careers and aims to spark more interest. The approach involves developing methods for two-way data transfer between virtual worlds and the real world. A team is listed along with their schools and tasks. Discoveries include interconnecting virtual world servers for shared activities while maintaining safety, and integrating technologies like robots, smartphones, social media, and modeling/storytelling tools. The goal is immersive, educational collaboration to excite interest in CS-STEM careers.

1. CS – STEM and Virtual Worlds DARPA presentation Melissa Seifman Project Lead mseifman@mvctc.com (937) 216 2497

3. How to use this technology to encourage careers in CS-STEM?

4. How can this be extended to organizations and government applications?Key Tech Areas: virtual world, robotics, smartphone technology, web application

5. Virtual World STEM/Collaboration Why? Studies show significant decline in pipeline over the last 20 years due to lack of interest, perception of difficulty, and perception of more lucrative careers!

7. Video/Audio (live and static)

8. Information from robot/sensors

9. Information from SmartphoneAndrew Hughes CEO, Designing Digitally, Inc. Industry mentor Melissa Seifman Instructor, Miami Valley Career Technology Center Project Lead

10. Team Members Name: Christopher Hsu School: Carnegie Mellon University Year: Freshman Task: Create application to develop interface between a robot and the virtual world Name: Joseph Berling School: Centerville High School Year: Senior Task: Develop a machinima movie filmed in the virtual world to tell a story. Use editing tools as necessary. Name: PriyaChawla School: Centerville High School Year: Senior Task: Develop a collaborative, interactive science lesson on the anatomy of the eye and eye diseases performing 3D modeling and scripting as necessary Name: Adam Rogers School: Wright State University Year: Pursuing Master’s Task: Research interactive ways to instruct in Math. Study the way students learn and how that can be adapted virtually. Name: Mark Siebert School: Wright State University Year: Junior Task: Create a collaborative, interactive lesson on the Big Bang Theory using 3D modeling, animation, and scripting to be educational and fun Name: Gordon Clark School: Miami Valley CTC Year: Senior Task: Develop a way to monitor and participate in the twitter backchannel of a mixed reality event. Perform 3D modeling and scripting as necessary Name: Joseph Esperanza School: Wright State University Year: Pursuing Master’s Task: Test the physics engine within the virtual world for physics demonstrations using 3D modeling, animation and scripting to be educational and fun

11. Discoveries Virtual world servers may be interconnected for a public, yet private grid, with seamless integration of activities while maintaining student safety. A great way to break down classroom walls and invite global learning. Second Life provides shared media opportunities to integrate any web-enabled application. Tested Internet applications included: AIML (intelligent ‘teaching’ chatbot), Twitter, GoogleDocs, interactive drawing, live audio/visual streaming for mixed reality events. Robots can be integrated via Bluetooth Smart phones can be integrated to send/receive information from the virtual world. Immersive Lesson plans 2D and 3D Modeling of concepts Digital Storytelling Shared Media Foreign Language ‘Teacher’ chatbots Grid Computing connections Machinima Educational collaboration across the United States with immersive research projects to excite interest in CS-STEM and other careers!

12. Discoveries Immersive collaboration that is fun, challenging, educational, that can be used to research and resolve real world CS-STEM projects

13. Demo and Questions