A series of multimedia learning objects for the Michigan Virtual High School Middle School Science Program.
Challenge
Declining interest in Science education is a well-documented problem, and of particular concern to educators in US schools. So how do you make an 8th grader care about time, space, matter and energy?
Solution
We identified 3 motivational drives: ‘what do I want to be when I grow up’; the ability to wonder at the marvels of nature; and the need to feel cool. Then we created animations that consistently engaged the user with ‘what if’ questions and lots of fun examples around baseball, school buses, cola… anything to make it relevant to their life! As a result, we succeeded in creating an effective introduction to scientific concepts that connected with teens on their own terms.
