Fixing the education digital disconnect one video game...( WASHINGTON DC On Thursday 22 May 20...)

WASHINGTON DC On Thursday, 22 May 2008, the Federation of American Scientists (FAS) will launch Immune Attack TM, an exciting, fun and fast-moving video game that teaches the critical scientific facts of immunology.

The cutting-edge game is designed to teach how the immune system works to defend the body against invading bacteria. The visual elements and simulations are critical for grasping the complex interactions of the biological systems.

My students were very engaged while playing Immune Attack, said Netia Elam, AP Biology Teacher at Forest Park High School in Woodbridge, VA. The video game provides great visuals and allows the students to interact while playing the game. The kids really wanted to master the game and to do that they needed to learn the immunology concepts. (to see video of Elam please visit: http://www.immuneattack.org)

Immune Attack is a complement to the learning that happens in the classroom. The game allows students to use sights, sounds, and touch to get better acquainted with the immune system. It also encourages them to interact with each other and have problem-solving discussions to enhance their game-play and ultimately learn the subject.

Preliminary surveys show that the students who play Immune Attack show an increase in knowledge when compared with students who did not play the game. After playing the game students also showed a higher interest in biology.

"Immunology is a complicated subject to learn. The challenges in Immune Attack give those who might not otherwise be interested in biology the chance to learn in a fun, hands-on manner they won't find in a text book," said Michelle Lucey-Roper, director of the Learning Technologies Program at FAS.

FAS is researching and developing ways to produce complex games and 3-D interactive simulations that will one day revolutionize education and how people learn. These learning games h
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