Share Paper: Attitude, Achievement, and Gender in a Middle School Science-based Ludic Simulation for Learning

  1. Royce Kimmons, The University of Texas, United States
  2. Min Liu, The University of Texas, United States
  3. Jina Kang, The University of Texas, United States
  4. Laise Santana, The University of Texas, United States
Monday, March 5 3:25-3:45 PM Capitol H

Abstract: Alien Rescue is a science-based simulation designed and built by graduate students to teach middle school students about the solar system. Mixed methods analysis of students’ learning experiences with the tool and attitudes toward it yielded overall achievement gains for students and determined that student attitudes toward the simulation and prior knowledge in the subject matter impacted student achievement. Results also suggest that the tool can be beneficial for counteracting gender-based disparities in student STEM achievement.