Visualized partner network: Partner Network

How it works:

Phase 0: Research and Development

• We hold routine meetings with our partners to update them on development progress and document content they want included in our games. Using this content, we develop and improve the games in Unity until we have a working prototype.

• Partners for providing funding/technology: Lehigh University, potentially Unity for Humanity and EPA Environmental Education Grants
• Partners for knowledge/educational content: our partner nature centers (Lehigh Gap Nature Center, Nurture Nature Center, Jacobsburg Environmental Education Center, Delaware & Lehigh National Heritage Corridor)

Phase 1: Testing and Revisions

• We bring our games into schools for testing in a controlled environment. We document all feedback and incorporate the improvements to be made into our current prototype. 

• Partners for access to test users: school districts which contain our partner nature centers (Northern Lehigh School District, Easton Area School District, Pennsylvania Department of Education)

Phase 2: Release to Partner Informal Learning Centers

• After addressing the issues brought up in testing, we will release the final versions of our game to our partner informal learning centers in both desktop and headset VR for visitors to use.

• Partners for access to end users: our partner nature centers and 6 public libraries

Phase 3: Expand Social Capital for New Partnerships

• Using the attention brought to our partner nature centers, we will contact similar organizations who would be interested in a unique learning tool of their own for their locations. 

• Partners for access to new partners: our partner nature centers’ broader circles/network (For example, Jacobsburg is connected to the State Park system)

→ Repeat as we gain more partners

 

Informal Learning Centers:

– Why should they partner with you?

• Informal learning centers like Jacobsburg Environmental Education Center, Nurture Nature Center, Lehigh Gap Nature Center, Delaware & Lehigh National Heritage Corridor, and public libraries should partner with us because we’re creating exciting immersive virtual reality games on topics relevant to these centers. These centers impart education on environmental and conservation issues which is what our games aim to do as well. We plan to implement our games in these centers. Through that, the visitors to these centers would not only gain exposure to novel experiences but also learn educational content in a fun, engaging way. Through our immersive game design, they would be able to retain the information better as well. The centers would gain more visitors and overall visibility. 

 

– Inputs: What they contribute/invest?

• Informal centers like Jacobsburg Environmental Education Center, Nurture Nature Center, Lehigh Gap Nature Center, and Delaware & Lehigh National Heritage Corridor would invest their time. From the very beginning of game development, they would fact-check us and provide us with their expert feedback. They would mentor and guide us to ensure we’re imparting accurate information in our games. 

 

– Outputs: What do they receive in return?

• They will receive the opportunity to implement our games in their centers. This would increase the footfall of visitors and give their visitors a new exciting experience. Many of these centers already have educational curriculums on topics related to the environment. Our games would be an excellent additional learning tool to supplement their curriculums. Moreover, since our immersive game design implements game-based-learning principles, it would ensure that their visitors playing the games reach flow state and are actually retaining educational information. Additionally, the center would be able to increase their network, outreach, and overall visibility.

– How will you go about building the partnership?

• We already have partnerships with a lot of informal learning centers like the Jacobsburg Environmental Education Center, Nurture Nature Center, Lehigh Gap Nature Center, Delaware & Lehigh National Heritage Corridor, and a few public libraries. We meet our partners twice a month to receive their feedback and mentorship. They fact-check us and guide us in the correct direction. We hope to continue expanding our partnerships with other informal learning centers in the area which have similar aims and objectives. 

 

Northern Lehigh School District:

– Why should they partner with you?

• They should partner with us because we introduce exciting and engaging learning experiences for their students as well as forming connections with nature centers in the local community. By allowing us into their schools to test our games with students, we are providing a new and fun kind of learning experience for students that will keep them excited about learning. Since our games are made for our partner nature centers, after the students play our game, we will have formed a connection between the school and the Lehigh Gap Nature Center (our partner in the Northern Lehigh School district). This will serve as a terrific community connection and field trip opportunity for students. 

– Inputs: What do they contribute/invest?

• They would allow us into classrooms for a session where students will play our game and provide feedback. With parent permission, they are providing their students to serve as a group test users whose feedback we can use to improve our games. They will also be providing their time as they are taking time out of either the school day or afterschool programs to allow their students to play our games.

– Outputs: What do they receive in return?

• Not only will they receive a first look at our VR games, but their students will also receive an engaging and fun experience while they play our games. Bringing our games into schools for testing will also strengthen students’ and administrators’ relationship with the Lehigh Gap Nature Center as our game will eventually be made available at the center in the Northern Lehigh School District. This provides community connections and potential for field trips. 

– How will you go about building the partnership?

• We would build this partnership by first contacting the Curriculum & Instruction coordinator at the District Office. We will introduce who we are and what we do, and express interest in having students test our games. We will arrange a time to meet where they can experience our games and determine if they are interested in allowing their students to try them as well as ask any questions regarding privacy of student info. We will clearly state that student information will not be recorded, only responses. If they are interested, we will complete the IRB approval process. We will work with the central office to determine which schools would be best suited for our testing and if it would occur during a class session or after school. Once these details are decided, we can bring our games into schools and receive student feedback. 

Easton Area School District:

– Why should they partner with you?

• The Easton Area School District should partner with us because we provide a technology that can enhance the educational environment of the classroom. Our technology acts as an extension of the teaching curriculum to help visualize material in a fun and engaging way. It would be a great opportunity for schools as this will improve learning statistics within the classrooms.

– Inputs: What they contribute/invest?

• The schools would contribute their time and their resources within the school. To expand a little, they would contribute their time in setting meetings, discussing the plans for the venture within the school and what we and they hope to get out of this partnership. In addition we would also talk about possibly including some of their students in the classroom within our studies to determine the impact of VR.

– Outputs: What they receive in return?

• In return they would receive better learning statistics, an engaged classroom with eager-to-learn students, and also a good face for the school as well. Schools that provide innovative ways to teach to their students usually come to become the talk of the community. If this spreads, the name of the school will as well.

– How will you go about building the partnership?

• The way we plan on going about building this partnership is first setting up a meeting with the leaders of our venture along with a representative from the school district to discuss anything related to the implementation of VR in the classroom. This could also be done through email, but in person is more direct. Additional meetings will have to follow, but it’s a good first step. Later on, it might have to go through a process where faculty might have to decide on this since it will directly affect some teachers. If all goes well, we start working with them and later on they will see good results.

Pennsylvania Department of Education:

– Why should they partner with you?

• We provide a technology that can enhance the educational environment of the classroom. Our technology serves as a tool for the teaching curriculum to help visualize material in a fun and engaging way and . It would be a great opportunity for schools as this will improve learning statistics within the classrooms.

– Inputs: What do they contribute/invest?

– Outputs: What do they receive in return?

– How will you go about building the partnership?

Unity for Humanity:

– Why should they partner with you?

• Unity for Humanity should partner with us because we both share the technological potential to create and inspire meaningful change in the world. Since we are focused on environmental sustainability, this grant is specifically made with collaboration with the U.N. to support such programs that uphold those values.

– Inputs: What they contribute/invest?

• They would contribute funding in the form of money that would help us sustain our venture in the short run. They would also invest their time within our venture since we expect them to be interested in our progress and would occasionally set up meetings to hear of such milestones.

– Outputs: What they receive in return?

• In return, they would receive a positive social standing for helping our environmentally focused venture. In addition, their name will be labeled across our presentations, giving them a positive face for their reputation. They get credibility essentially.

– How will you go about building the partnership?

• The way we plan on going about building this partnership is first applying for their Unity for Humanity grant which they have listed on their website. Once applied, in the case that we do get it, they would set-up a meeting with the leaders of our venture along with a representative from Unity to discuss anything else related to the grant. It’s a simple way to go about building the partnership.

EPA Environmental Education Grants:

– Why should they partner with you?

• They should partner with us because we are transforming the field of environmental education with our games. Our VR experiences are a new wave of environmental education techniques, and with our advanced tools we provide learners with immersive experiences that serve as powerful educational tools. Learners finish our game with increased understanding and awareness of environmental issues.

– Inputs: What they contribute/invest?

• They would provide us with funds to purchase headsets we use for testing, to pay for monthly software fees, to cover team expenses such as travel or marketing. 

– Outputs: What they receive in return?

• They will gain credibility and positive attention as our venture grows. As our games are successfully implemented, learners and visitors to our informal learning centers will see that we are funded by the EPA and form positive associations with the organization. They will also gain positive attention as they are helping to support local, small nature centers.

– How will you go about building the partnership?

• To build this partnership, we will need to apply to their grant competition. The deadlines for each year are posted on their website as well as the application materials. We will have to write a project summary, detailed project description, project evaluation plan, a detailed budget plan, as well as timeline, logic model, programmatic capabilities and past performance, letters stating responsibilities of partners, and finally two federal forms. This complete application would be submitted on www.grants.gov. In preparing, we would be in contact with the regional coordinator listed for Pennsylvania.