Eco-Racer

Eco-Racer

Faculty Partner: Peter Idowu

Dr. Idowu is a member of the faculty at Penn State Harrisburg's School of Science, Engineering and Technology.  He teaches courses in electric power, energy systems, and conversion.  The exploration of learning through games and visualization concepts has become a regular part of learning objectives in these courses.  E-Trax, a two-player car racing game was developed in Summer 2007 with the goal of generating enthusiasm in electric power and energy among students enrolled in these classes. Eco-Racer is a single player game that evolved from this initial effort.

Download (add link here) - PC Only

 

Description

EcoRacer is a simple car racing game where a player completes laps around a racing track with the engine that offers the best speed, fuel use and least impact on the environment.  The racecar has four engines that may be activated (one at a time) anytime during the game. The goal of the game is to score high by finishing in the least amount of time while producing the least emissions.

•  Gasoline Engine
  • Strengths – Great speed. Performs well rain or shine.
  • Weaknesses – Uses fuel quickly. Cannot recharge. High emissions.
•  Solar Engine
  • Strengths – Uses fuel slowly. Can recharge. No emissions.
  • Weaknesses – Low speed. Needs strong sunlight to work well, so is unpredictable.

•   Wind Engine
  
  • Strengths – Good speed. Mild use of fuel. Can recharge. No emissions.
  • Weaknesses – Dependent on current wind speed, so is unpredictable.

•  Hydrogen Engine
  
  • Strengths – Average speed. Can recharge (via wind and solar power).
  • Weaknesses – Uses fuel fairly quickly. Low emissions (hydrogen production based on electricity from fossil fuel).

Learning Objectives

Given a mix of energy sources (fossil, wind, solar, and hydrogen) for completing a task (racing around the track) the student will be able to determine the following:

1. Impact of various energy sources on the environment (measured by Emission Reduction Credit – ERC instrument).
Reduction in ERC is observed with use of fossil energy while ERC improves with use of renewable sources.

2. Variability of the quantity of energy available for conversion from renewable sources (for charging the racecar battery pack).
Typically dependent on time of day, season, location, conversion equipment, etc. (This is measured by wind and solar instruments).

3. Availability of energy on demand.
Replenishing energy used up through renewable sources takes time (charging the batteries).

4. Energy options offering attractive performance characteristics (speed, power, higher power/energy density).
Fossil-based gasoline engine offers all the desirable characteristics for racing.  Other options do not (battery storage technology).

5. Matching energy needs with environmental impact require a balance in the mix of energy options available.
A high score in the racing game will demonstrate this objective is achieved.

 

PSU Hangman

PSU Hangman

Download PSU Hangman

The Game

A fresh look for an old favorite, PSU Hangman is a Flash version of the word guessing game.  This game will randomly pull 10 questions from a bank that you provide and allow players to fill in the words by picking the correct letters to spell the answer.  Each correct answer will earn 100 points, for a maximum game score of 1,000.  Players will be given up to 6 wrong guesses per question, at which point they will loose the round and the correct answer will be provided to them. 

Because it is Flash based, PSU Hangman is easy to post online so that anyone, anywhere, can access your game whenever they like.  The more questions you add, the more replayability it has.

Possible Applications

Hangman is a great way to reinforce basic basic concepts, ideas, or course vocabulary.  

• Create a hangman game to help students study before an exam
• Recap important terms at the end of a lesson

 

Playing the Game

As soon as you unzip PSU Hangman, you can play a sample game by opening the PSUHangman.html file.  This file can be renamed something more appropriate to your course or subject matter if you wish. 

 

Customizing the Game

Customizing your copy of PSU Hangman is as easy as following a few simple steps. However it will require that you have a working copy of Adobe Flash.

Customizing Questions and Answers

1. Open the file 302_s0056_m01.xml
2. You should see 25 sample questions and answers in the file - these will provide you with an idea of how to imput your own questions/ answers.  Simply replace an existing question/ answer with your own, making sure to put your information between the correct <question> </question> or <answer> </answer> tags. 
3. Our base template provides enough space for 25 questions.  If you would like to add additional questions, simply copy an entire question block and paste it directly below your last question.  Be sure to  incriment the question number, which can be found in the questions num=" " tag.   A question block goes from <questions num="x"> tag to </questions> tag.  If you would like to remove any questions, simply select the question block you would like to remove and delete it. 
4. Save your XML file
5. Open the 302_s0040_m01.fla (Flash) file.
6. Select File --> Publish
7. Preview your changes by opening the 302_s0040_m01.html file

Customizing the Title or Launch Text

1. Open the 302_s0040_m01.fla (Flash) file.
2. TO EDIT TITLE: Scroll through the Flash layers until you reach the one labled "Title".  Highlight that layer, then double click the PSU Hangman title to edit the text. 
3. TO EDIT INTRO TEXT: Scroll through the Flash layers until you reach the one labled "Title".  Highlight that layer, then double click the intro text area and edit to your liking.
4. When you are finished with your edits, Select File --> Publish
5. Preview your changes by opening the 302_s0040_m01.html file

Need a Hand?

If you would like to use PSU Hangman in your class, but don't have a copy of Adobe Flash, or if you do have a copy but have no idea how to use it, contact us at gaming@psu.edu and we'll see what we can do to help.