The Geckoman Project Web site is designed to assist teachers in implementing the videogame Geckoman with their students. The target audience for the game is students in grades 6-8. Use of Geckoman in the classroom can stand alone. However, if the teacher feels that additional activities are necessary to increase student understanding of scientific concepts embedded within the game, then this website provides supplemental curriculum activities that can be used to meet these instructional needs.
The supplemental curriculum materials consists of common misconceptions, adaptable activities, and helpful websites. The Web-based activities for students are one part of the curriculum unit. The supplemental curriculum activities provide options for both hands-on classroom activities and the Web-based multimedia activities. Together, the classroom and multimedia activities enable students to gain a deeper understanding of the science behind Geckoman.
The Geckoman Project—developed with the Center for High-Rate Nanomanufacturing at Northeastern University —is a game-based instructional program designed to promote active learning and to stimulate student interest in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM). The aims of the Geckoman Project are to allow students:
- to explore an emerging scientific field and understand how matter behaves at the nanoscale; and
- to relate the concepts of nanotechnology to core scientific knowledge currently taught in the K-12 classroom.
Before Getting Started
- Review the recommended setup for using Geckoman
- Review the site’s navigation overview
- Pentium III 600 MHz IBM Compatible with Windows 2000 or higher, with 256 MB RAM
- G4 Macintosh with Mac OS 9 or newer, with 256 MB RAM
- Screen resolution of 1024 by 768 pixels
- 56 kbps modem or high-speed Internet connection
- Web browser with Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above)
Note: The above setup (or better) is recommended. Although your computer configuration may differ from those listed above, this Web site may still be functional on your computer. The most important items in this list are current browsers and plug-ins.