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The (not so) Daily Chris

Disclaimer: Chris Leonard is not an engineer, but he plays one on CR4.

Actually, I'm what you would call a "technology professional." I'm an editor and technical writer by trade. I'm interested in the dissemination of information, especially in relation to "Web 2.0", "Nu Media," etc., what ever you want to call it. I'm going to use this blog to investigate the big questions in the ever changing media landscape: How do we in the early 21st century communicate with each other? What tools do we use? How is language evolving? How can two people read the same sentence and draw two completely different conclusions?

I also have a soft spot for Cryptozoology and Urban Legends, so I will likely write about them from time to time.
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Time Engineers: Educational Engineering Software

Posted May 29, 2008 8:55 AM by Chris Leonard
Pathfinder Tags: civil engineering computer software engineering education

I received an email this morning about a computer game called Time Engineers; designed to teach pre-college students fundamental engineering concepts as part of the game play. The game takes the player from Ancient Egypt, to Medieval Europe, through World War II, wherein the player must learn concepts like boolean equations, force, vectors, friction, flow, velocity, etc., to complete tasks.

I have not played the game, so I can't provide specific details, but I did check out the demo and it seems to carry the weight. If you have a kid with interest in these topics it might be worth checking out. Note: it is a "for sale" game.

Is anyone familiar with this game, or others that could be used to help educate our kids about engineering concepts?

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Del the cat
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#1

Re: Time Engineers: Educational Engineering Software

05/29/2008 12:37 PM

Would it be cheaper to let 'em lose in the garage/workshop? (Maybe not safer tho')

Del

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bwire
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#2

Re: Time Engineers: Educational Engineering Software

05/30/2008 2:06 AM

Great info thanks, awaiting feedback.

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saddlechariot
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#3

Re: Time Engineers: Educational Engineering Software

05/30/2008 3:56 AM

Chris, watched the demo, good graphics, but the content looked very thin. The Trebuchet challenge on CR4 offers more educational stuff and it is free. Del's right, let them loose in the workshop.

And they picked really weird examples of engineering. Why a castle drawbridge, why not drawing water, a problem faced by every society with myriad engineering answers and why a pointless grave that probably bankrupted a society while performing no useful function. Where are the engineering ideas that have improved life?

It looked to me to be aimed at a standard curriculum, standard WASP knowledge base, selling to that market, and selling being what it was designed for, ie to sell to schools not to educate kids.

Would any engineer have picked these examples, a drawbridge, a pyramid, a stunningly unconvincing irrigation scheme, a trebuchet and a submarine getting blown up? It may just be designed to appeal to boys but why does engineering want to exclude at least 50% of the population.

Only 2o% of the concepts shown were productive as opposed to destructive. Is that the example we wish to set?

But many thanks Chris for bringing it to our attention, becuase if this program is so weak, there must be a market for a strong one. Could CR4 produce a collaborative educational pack for this market, but free and emphasising the benefits of engineering rather than just concentrating on bodycount.

Simon

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dkwarner
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#4
In reply to #3

Re: Time Engineers: Educational Engineering Software

05/31/2008 10:39 AM

Great Idea!

I'd contribute to that!

Dick

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kkjensen
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#5
In reply to #3

Re: Time Engineers: Educational Engineering Software

06/02/2008 1:20 PM

There are opensource platforms available for educational software: gcompris, childsplay...very oriented towards preschool and elementary school education. I've always wondered how difficult it would be to develop and contribute more advanced modules for kids that are approaching high school age and can be inflenced by the propaganda in a good, adictive computer game! ;)

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Chris Leonard
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#6
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Re: Time Engineers: Educational Engineering Software

06/02/2008 1:40 PM

For those who are interested in working on a game like this, what could we (GlobalSpec) do to support you?
kkjensen
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Canada - Member - BC Born, Alberta Raised, Quebec (poutine) crazed... Engineering Fields - Aerospace Engineering - An airplane is just a bunch of beams... Hobbies - Model Rocketry - Had fun as a kid...fun stuff Hobbies - CNC - dreaming of cutting Engineering Fields - Control Engineering - PID ME!

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#7
In reply to #6

Re: Time Engineers: Educational Engineering Software

06/03/2008 12:08 PM

We should play the Treb challenge more!

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#8
In reply to #6

Re: Time Engineers: Educational Engineering Software

06/12/2008 5:18 AM

Sorry should have replied before but had to drive chariots round Wales, Devon and Cornwall. It's a tough life but someone has to do it. Not sure games are the right route. We aren't going to outclass whatever it is that is hot right now, and we are going to look like a joke trying. "Hey look at those engineers, can't even make a good game!"

But we could offer a challenge, a sort of virtual Meccano, where Drawing package manufacturers allow use of their older versions, and engineering firms agree to build the winning designs. This allows kids to look at real world engineering, judged on is it buildable given specified technology and cost constraints, (solid gold life size models of mum are out).

Projects could be individual, school or team, and the end result would be "open source". Therefore a slight theme of save the world through engineering would be part of the structure.

It has to be "open source" because one of the major resources is the CR4 advice, help and silly comments team. This is about team building and learning how concepts become products. Those who wish to become corporate lawyers can learn their trade mugging old ladies in the street.

Simon

ranting, but serious.

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#9
In reply to #3

Re: Time Engineers: Educational Engineering Software

08/20/2008 12:16 PM

Hello CR4 community. Found this blog while searching about our product. My name is Ray Shingler and I am one of the creators of Time Engineers. Time Engineers was a basic proof of concept to show that game play could teach students about engineering and build their interest in a career in the enginering fields.

Our next version will include more gender specific modules and is being produced in a real-time 3D game engine. Please review our storyboard and contact us with any suggestions. We'd be more than happy to work with your organization to develop this new version.

http://www.software-kids.com/html/timeengineers2.html

Regards,

Ray Shingler
Software Kids
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bwire (1), Chris Leonard (1), Del the cat (1), dkwarner (1), Guest (1), kkjensen (2), saddlechariot (2)

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