Recipient Organization
NORTH CAROLINA STATE UNIV
(N/A)
RALEIGH,NC 27695
Performing Department
Poultry Science
Non Technical Summary
The purpose of this projecct is to educate students about the digestive tract of the chicken (similar to that of humans) by creating a simulation with three levels of focus (1) introduction to chicken anatomy and digestion, (2) gross anatomy of a chicken, and (3) structural anatomy of a chicken. The overall concept of the design was completed by Auburn University, the technology concept design was completed by Suffolk County Community College. Dr. Kim Livingston (NCSU) will serve as the subject matter expert. She and Dr. Curtis will work with Robert Newton Products to create the simulation. Dr. Livingston will test the simulation in NCSU poultry science classes. The target audience is junior and senior biology, physiology and poultry science students at any university. The simulation will be made available to the other 5 departments (Auburn University, University of Georgia, Mississippi State University, Texas A&M University and University of Arkansas. of poultry science for testing. The simulation will be available via the NCSU website. This is a follow up to the Virtual Chicken, which models the formation of the egg in a chicken's reproductive tract. Thousands of copies of the Virtual Chicken have been disseminated worldwide. Expected outcome is creation of an exciting, flexible learning tool that will be thoroughly tested and evaluated and result in improved interest, recruitment and learning among undergraduate students in the agricultural sciences and related disciplines.
Animal Health Component
(N/A)
Research Effort Categories
Basic
(N/A)
Applied
(N/A)
Developmental
(N/A)
Goals / Objectives
The student who completed the beginner level (1) will be able to define the gross anatomy of the chicken's digestive tract and will be able to outline what happens as food passes through the digestive tract.The student who completes the intermediate level (2) will be able to identify the organs in the digestive tract and actively demonstrate using built in applications how both nutrients and waste move through the chicken's digestive system.The student who completes the advanced level will be able to describe the process of digestion at the cellular level and molecular level, including the role of salts and enzymes and the transport of nutrients and waste through cell walls.Students completing the simulation will be able to research and report on a scientific topic.
Project Methods
Drs. Curtis and Livingston will work with contractors to develop the game application. Contractors will build and employ as part of the game experience, all relevant "assets" required for the full engagement of the student's attention. These will include:3D model of a full chicken as well as all relevant anaatomical structures of the chickenDirect animation clips of the anatomy and biology of chicken digestion to introduce, explain or bolster concepts that cannot be conveyed by the students interaction with the 3D model of the chickenDirect animation clilps to explain the microscopic and molecular level processes involved in chicken digestionThe contractor will work with NCSU PIs to identify students and classrooms as "beta testers" to test and refine the instructional design properties of the app to make it as engaging and instructional as possible