Museum-Based Education Research: Future Energy Chicago, a Multi-Player Simulation

This presentation will describe an education research study that investigates how the Future Energy Chicago simulation experience at the museum, together with the in-classroom pre- and post- curriculum supports students' engagement with the topic of energy as well as their learning of key science and technology concepts. The study investigates various elements of the simulation's game play for their role in supporting students' learning and motivation, and the impact of the in-classroom curriculum that prepares students prior to and following their museum experience.The presentation will include a discussion of both the methodologies used and the findings from this study, drawing upon frameworks from the fields of child psychology, psychology, and K-12 education.