High-Level Project Summary
We developed a game experience aimed at any audience interested in space, allowing for an easier and more interactive way of learning. Focusing on the James Webb Space Telescope , we managed to create a virtual reality game using internal tools from the code of the video game Minecraft. The game creates a gateway to make learning easier centering the JWST and all its functions. We made it for the passionate audience to have easier access to tools; such as games, to deepen their knowledge creating a newfound community of young scientist and space engineers.
Link to Final Project
Detailed Project Description
The game is mainly a story-driven puzzle game in a Minecraft (Modded 1.18.2) VR environment, that talks us through the components, functions and possibilites of the James Webb Telescope. We modified the entity data of villagers to create NPCs that when being right-clicked output a dialogue prompt and books are provided directly to the player containing more detailed documentation (avoiding being overbearing) about the very synthesized technicalities of the James Webb Telescope. The two assets just mentioned are the means of giving information to the player.
As our first puzzle we thought about applying the Cryocooler concept that regulates the temperature (and function) of the MIRI component, by tasking the player to "fix" the helium leak and returning the MIRI component back to normal, prompting after this a "cleared" image taken by the telescope.
The benefits go beyond knowing the possibilites of the James Webb Telescope, we also tackle the physics behind the functioning of the James Webb (in a very resumed manner), spreading to the player the scientific method paradigm that enable us as engineers and scientists (and society in general) to advance techonologically. From a