Team of ODU Researchers Invited to Give Presentation on Serious Gaming Application at Capitol Hill M&S Exhibition
A team of faculty members from Old Dominion University will travel to Washington, D.C., on June 30 to give a presentation on an Internet-based and interactive application of serious gaming, called VisPort (Visualization of Port Logistics), which they created.
Their visit to the Capitol Hill Modeling and Simulation Exhibition is sponsored by the National Training and Simulation Association, with the support of Rep. Randy Forbes of Virginia and the Modeling and Simulation Caucus. The Capitol Hill Expo provides companies with the opportunity to engage U.S. congressmen/women and their staffs by demonstrating the latest simulation and training technology. The event will be held from 12:30-3:30 p.m. Wednesday, June 30, in the main foyer of the Rayburn Building.
Petros Katsioloudis (pictured), assistant professor of STEM education and professional studies, is the principal investigator for the project, "Visualization of Port Logistics: VisPort; Phase II: Evaluation and Dissemination." ODU's Department of STEM Education and Professional Studies and Virginia Modeling, Analysis and Simulation Center (VMASC) were awarded a grant of $122,000 from Opportunity Inc. and the Southeastern Virginia Partnership for Regional Transformation to develop, test and disseminate the application.
Co-PIs on the ODU research team are: Ginger Watson, associate professor of STEM education and professional studies with a joint appointment at VMASC; Yiannis Papelis, research associate professor with VMASC; Philip Reed, associate professor of STEM education and professional studies; and Sara Russell, instructor of MIS/decision sciences.
"The overall objective of the application is to advertise and describe careers in cargo ports through simulation, video interviews and port information," Katsioloudis explained. "In particular, the simulation demonstrates the basic functionality of a port, while highlighting specific tasks, such as crane operator, straddle carrier driver and reach stacker driver. It also demonstrates the practicality of deploying interactive simulation applications for training and education purposes via the Internet."
Katsioloudis added, "Combining a high-fidelity simulation of port operations with a rich, multimedia visualization of modern port careers can promote cognition of port logistics, improve higher-order thinking and problem-solving skills, and enhance understanding of science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) topics as they relate to the port logistics, sustainability and transportation disciplines."
He noted that the project emphasizes modeling and simulation in order to familiarize individuals with and promote STEM-related careers.
The Capitol Hill Modeling and Simulation Exhibition seeks out modeling and simulation demonstrations that support non-military and military functions, such as homeland security, emergency planning, medical simulation, sports and exercise, educational gaming and transportation.