INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT

Overview

Each school team, consisting of at least one teacher and six students, is challenged to develop a computer-based learning game that teaches the concept of sustainable energy and/or environmental responsibility. Throughout the school year, student teams learn about gaming technologies and environmental energy concerns as they develop mock companies and assume positions in each company to complete the challenge. Each student documents the work in an individual ePortfolio that demonstrates the variety of skills developed and artifacts produced during the program. Students compete for awards and recognition as they present their ideas and projects to a panel of business professionals and higher education faculty, both online and in person, at the annual Connecticut Student Innovation Expo.

2009–10 Challenge
Students will create a learning game on a computer or other digital device that teaches a concept related to sustainable energy and/or environmental responsibility.

What Do You Do in IT Research and Development?

The Information Technology Research and Development (ITRD) Challenge
This year, ITRD students are challenged to develop a computer-based learning game that teaches a concept related to sustainable energy and/or environmental responsibility.

Research
Students brainstorm and research ideas from a broad range of environmental topics. Students also investigate case studies of computer learning games developed by professional game companies and case studies of companies who have taken steps to “go green.”

Develop
After researching domain names and validating ideas online, each student team forms a mock company and authors a white paper that describes the components of the computer learning game and its relationship to the chosen environmental topic.

Design
After developing and refining their solutions, teams generate interest in their solutions via the World Wide Web (WWW) by designing motivating marketing material, such as animations, computer simulations, jingles, print advertisements, and video commercials.

Present
Each team presents its solution to the challenge in three different venues for evaluation by a panel of business professionals and higher education faculty. First, they post a company Web site on our Internet server for online evaluation. Second, they create an interactive exhibition booth. Finally, they deliver a five-minute oral presentation to demonstrate their innovative solutions.

Awards
ITRD students are recognized for outstanding performance in a variety of categories.

• Outstanding Team Player
• Outstanding Team Leader
• Outstanding Web Site Design
• Outstanding Exhibition Booth
• Outstanding Game Design
• Outstanding Marketing Elements
• Outstanding ePortfolio
• Outstanding White Paper
• Outstanding Oral Presentation
• Battelle Business Innovation Prize
• CCC Internship Award
• Alumni Leadership Award
• The "Greenie" Award

Requirements of Information Technology Research and Development (ITRD)

Topic
Each team’s computer game content must focus on at least one environmental issue. Suggestions include, but are not limited to, the following topics:

• Biofuel vs. Petroleum
• Fuel Energy Conservation
• Clean Air Local
• Environmental Action
• Clean Water
• Redevelopment of Brownfields
• Climate Change
• Renewable/Sustainable Energy
• Effect on Ecosystems
• Waste and Recycling

Company Identity
Your team will form a mock company, assign product development responsibilities, and develop a company identity that includes the following components:

• Company Name and Profile
• Company Slogan and Logo
• Company Organization Chart
• Company Employees’ Resumes, Job Descriptions, and Portfolios

White Paper
Each team develops a computer game that teaches a specific environmental concept that is described in detail in a white paper and includes the following elements:

• Narrative Description of the Game
• Research & Development Citations
• Domain Name Search Validation
• Market Test and Evaluations
• Business and/or Educational Service
• Game Info, Features, Characteristics
• Game Technical Specifications

Web Site
Each team’s Web site applies and documents the research, problem-solving activities, and critical-thinking skills used to design, plan, and produce the learning game. In addition, teams insure that the following items have been completed:

• Browser Compatibility Check
• Platform Compatibility Check
• Plug-in Notification Posted
• Posted on the WWW on CTexpo.org Server

Game Prototype
Each team develops a working prototype of the computer game that is accessible via the team Web site and playable on both Macintosh and Windows operating systems. Include the following elements:

• Concept Map of Game Components
• Browser-based Game Demo
• Game Download with One or More Levels
• Compatible with BOTH Mac and Windows OS
• Game Rating: Everyone 10+

Marketing Materials
Each team designs and develops marketing materials to present the computer game via the team’s Web site. Materials will include the following components:

• Company Web Site
• Game Specifications Page
• Market Test Results
• Computer Game Advertising Jingle
• Computer Game Magazine Advertisement

e-Portfolio
Each student’s e-Portfolio documents the research, problem-solving activities, and multimedia development used to design, plan, and produce the computer learning game. Each e-Portfolio also documents the student’s individual activities during the project and should contain digital files, digital photographs, research citations, and digital video.

For More Information

Contact Dan Cogan-Drew at 203-535-3172, or .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address).

Download the CCC Student Program Guide (PDF, 4.6 MB): Program_Guide_summer09.pdf