Design and development of an educational simulation game to teach the subject of planets in the science course: Mars example

The aim of the study is to design and develop a simulation of the planet Mars, which is related to the theme "Let us learn about our planets" in the curriculum of the 6th grade science course. For the research, method type 1, which based on design and development, was used. The study group of the research consists of eight lecturers working at Bolu Abant İzzet Baysal University and and 16 pre-service teachers studying in the Department of Science Education. In this study, firstly, the characteristics that needs to be found in a simulation software were investigated based on the literature. As a result of the research, the proper characteristics of a simulation and the factors to be considered in designing the simulation suitable for the learning-teaching environment were identified. A simulation that meets these characteristics was developed by the researcher. In the content of the simulation and the design of three-dimensional environment, the multimedia materials shared by NASA were used and the design is constructed realted to these marerials. For developing the simulation, Unity 3D ver. 2020.3.18f1 game engine was used. After the completion of the development phase, interviews were conducted with a total of eight lecturers, four of them were from the Computer Education and Instructional Technologies Department, three of them from Mathematics and Science Education Department, and one from Turkish Language Department as experts. As a result of the initial interviews, corrections were suggested by the experts and the simulation was updated according to these suggestions. After the updates, the second interviews were conducted. In the second interviews, the arrangements made as a result of the first interviews were found to be sufficient by all experts. In this way, the final version of the simulation was determined. As a result of the study, a simulation software called "Görevimiz Mars" was created. Opinions of teacher candidates were consulted. In addition, the factors to be considered while developing a training simulation and the features expected from a simulation are presented. It was stated that they wanted to use the simulation in classrooms and found it helpful.