High-Level Project Summary
StarVars is a kid-friendly learning tool, an AR-enabled adventure mat that introduces students to stellar variability. StarVars is important as it will not just provide an enjoyable and educational experience for learners, but also it allows them to explore science at the tip of their fingertips.
Link to Final Project
Link to Project "Demo"
Detailed Project Description
Background
We are a team of SHS Science instructors who are interested at exploring the ways on how we can make use of technology to introduce concepts that are usually accessible online in text or videos. In this project, we made made use of available resources and materials to develop our AR-enabled mat to display assets in 2D & 3D on top of the image anchors we identified.
Significance
Creating an AR-enabled adventure mat will greatly help both students and teachers in delivering topics in a mixed format. By using AR, we allow students to have a unique user experience. The adventure mat format will easily transform an ordinary class desk into a learning venue that creates richer experiences by integrating different assets into each lesson.
Planning
In this project, we want science concepts to be available in an enjoyable format. At the planning phase, we researched on the topics related to the classification of variable stars and created a 4x4 map which contains the following 8 concepts: Variable Stars, Groups of Variable Stars, Intrinsic Variable Stars, Extrinsic Variable Stars, Cepheids, Supernova, Eclipsing Binaries, and NASA Data
Development
The development of the image anchors were done using vector/illustrator software by customizing available resources, while the augmented reality component was made using Adobe Aero. Due to the lack of time and resources, we have only deployed 3D assets available in Adobe Stock Marketplace. To visualize the mat in a physical environment, we used an existing cloth map and placed the image anchors on top of it.
Deployment
After creating the augmented reality files, we used our iPhone devices to get a feel for how the assets render on the actual mat. To get a better view of the AR experience, we also made use of iPad devices.
Future Works
We look at integrating the entire process and have a custom-made platform that will allow the creation of the learning tool in a better environment that guides users from concept creation, map design, and links to AR files.
Space Agency Data
We obtained data from NASA about Cepheids, and Kepler Space Telescope and include it in on our content in the making of "StarVars". It inspires us to make something that will help our profession and by integrating AR-enabled adventure that introduces concepts about stellar variability in making learning exciting and fun.
We used the data from NASA by including information and details or the overall content in the "Starvars".
Hackathon Journey
In the midst of a pandemic and climate crisis, the hackathon for the CSS TechMakers team was just an uplifting experience for us newbies. Having able to join in this kind of experience was a great avenue for us to expand our knowledge.
On our first day, we would say it's the crucial part since this is the time for brainstorming, exchanging ideas, and aiming to make a successful project. It's our first time attending an event like this and it's an honor to accept the challenge of NASA. One thing we learned is that creativity comes from people, but it takes one to create something very helpful especially if you are making a good cause. We choose this challenge since we are both interested in the beauty of galaxies and stars. Twinkle, twinkle little star just really caught our attention. Our approach to developing this project is combining the use of storybooks and Augmented Reality (AR).
Throughout our entire Hackathon journey, we would like to thank our school, Christian Samaritan School for giving us the opportunity to join. Thank you, Xavier University, American Corner CDO for being the host of the event, and to our Mentor ma'am Shay Sabal, we are so blessed to have you as our mentor. Thank you so much, NASA for this opportunity! Above all, we offer everything to the Almighty God for being with us not just on this journey but throughout our life.
We are positive that this opportunity will lead to another, then to another, then another. We are both excited to keep going forward.
References
Tags
#SpaceApps #StarVars #Stars #LearnStars