Mobile and Web Game Development: Using Videogames as an Educational and Outreach Tool
Fernando I. Jaime · 2012
-AbstractFew tools reach out to capture the imagination and interests of children like videogames do. As such, the development of educational outreach applications that foster young minds interest in science and technology becomes of the utmost importance. To this end, the majority of my work consisted of learning to develop and deploy web-ready Flash and JavaScript applications to NASA’s SpacePlace, Scijinks and Climate Kids websites, which are managed by JPL’s Space Place team. I performed the programming aspect of the games with generous help from Austin Fitzpatrick, while Dianne Fisher -technical writer for the teamdeveloped the educational content, and Alexander Novati –technical illustratorprovided the art and graphic design. As such, my projects (Solar System Scrambled and Stump the Displacifier: Animal Edition) required me to collaborate with individuals of diverse academic backgrounds. My assignments enabled me to experience the entire cycle of software development, from project formulation to development, to quality assurance and the final release of the applications through the JPL software release system.