Augmented Reality Simulations
To date most computer simulations have been tethered to the desktop. As we move simulations from the desktop to more ubiquitous and increasingly powerful portable devices, we can take advantage of the following affordances of handhelds:

• portability –can take the computer to different sites and move around within a site
• social interactivity – can exchange data and collaborate with other people face to face
• context sensitivity– can gather data unique to the current location, environment, and time, including both real and simulated data
• connectivity – can connect handhelds to data collection devices, other handhelds, and to a common network that creates a true shared environment
• individuality – can provide unique scaffolding that is customized to the individual’s path of investigation.
  

The purpose of this research project is to develop and examine a new simulation platform that is designed from the ground up for handheld computers and draws on the unique affordances of handheld technologies.

Providing teachers and students robust authoring tools
A critical part of this platform will be a robust set of authoring tools for students and teachers to create their own simulation games. Research has shown that the process of creating models—as opposed to simply using models built by someone else—not only fosters model-building skills but also helps develop a greater understanding of the concepts embedded in the model. Further, research from the adoption and diffusion of curriculum materials suggests that in successful educational implementations, teachers reinvent curricular materials to meet the demands of local constraints. Ultimately, the success of a program like Environmental Detectives may hinge on providing teachers tools to design scenarios that take advantage of their own unique local affordances and meet particular local curricular constraints.

Fantasy and Narrative
The causes and consequences of toxic spills suggest endless narrative possibilities. Imagine backroom corporate scheming and cover-ups to hide covert activities from the public. The corporations aren't the only characters with shady dealings. Government regulators may be complicit in ignoring dangerous environmentalist practices. Environmentalists aren't left of the hook as rogue environmentalists are suspected of tampering with monitoring devices and planting evidence. This is to speak nothing of the lawyers...

The effects the release of these toxins are rife with melodramatic potential. Players will have to consider how toxins are spreading through their own neighborhoods. An important water source may be contiminated or an airborne toxin may make its way toward a local daycare. Environmental Detectives combines mystery, intrigue and melodrama to create a gaming experience enjoyable to a diverse range of players.

Simulation with Dangerous Chemicals
No doubt that students can learn a great deal about toxicology by examining real environmental disasters (or by dumping a barrel of oil into the Charles River and examining its impact on the environment and human health). However (fortunately), not every community is situated near an ecological disaster ripe with potential for illuminating educational issues. Further, having students take readings of acids or titrates in the environment can be dangerous. Such procedures involve handling dangerous volatile chemicals.

The Environmental Detectives platform allows educators to investigate a wide range of environmental issues, ranging from airborne particles to radioactive spills to toxic chemicals transported through water. With Environmental Detectives, we specially design scenarios to leverage their pedagogical and entertainment potential. In short, Environmental Detectives does not strive to replace inquiry-based learning or environmental investigations, but rather, to make a whole new range of scenarios open to educators.

Copyright 2002, MIT.