Transformation of Undergraduate Education in Construction Science Through Serious Simulation Games
David Jeong has been awarded a $750,000 grant from the National Science Foundation (NSF), with Jeong serving as the principal investigator (PI) and Zofia as the co-principal investigator (Co-PI). This three-year project officially kicked off yesterday.
The Serious Games and Simulations for the Built Environment (SeGSiBE) lab conducts research to create serious games and simulations for project management and assess the design and effectiveness of construction. The lab investigates which features enhance learning outcomes, evaluates their effectiveness, and explores the long-term benefits of implementing such tools. Ultimately, SeGSiBE’s mission is to improve productivity in the construction industry by effectively communicating advanced project management principles through immersive and visually engaging educational experiences.
The goal of the NSF project is to develop serious games and simulations as transformative methods for teaching complex project management concepts and principles, as well as to evaluate their effectiveness.
Dr. Jeong said, “This project will be able to create a blueprint for transforming the undergraduate construction science curriculum into an active learning model that improves student learning outcomes.”
Three years ago, a team within the college received a $25,000 seed grant from the Construction Industry Advisory Council (CIAC), which enabled them to conduct preliminary research and develop a virtual reality game for testing purposes. This initial investment has yielded a remarkable 3,000% return on investment through this NSF grant.
The funding will support further advancements in the project, enhancing the college’s commitment to innovative research in architecture and construction.
