Penn State Brandywine & Ridley Creek State Park
Augmented reality game project
To enhance the theme of innovation, sustainability and collaboration between our greater Delaware County community and the PSU Brandywine campus, we plan to work with our neighbor Ridley Creek State Park and a local nonprofit, the Friends of Ridley Creek State Park (FRCSP), to develop an augmented reality gaming project. This first interactive, game will digitize the Park’s existing Tree Identification Quiz currently in use along their five-mile multi purpose trail. While enhancing the visitor experience, the greater goal is to bring visitors to the local Pennsylvania state park that is just walking distance from PSU Brandywine’s campus.
Vision
Bringing together the expertise of PSU Brandywine’s faculty, staff and students in information technology, computer technology, and library services will partner with Ridley Creek State Park personnel to create an educational reality game that can be easily downloaded onto a smart phone or tablet, Android or IOS, that will enhance the park’s experience by bringing alive the current tree ID quiz. The technology of the augmented reality game will be easily accessible via a free download. FRCSP will help test the project during the development phase. Additionally, the augmented reality project will connect with the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources’ newly established “Think Outside” program.
Construction of the experience
Beginning in the fall, faculty, staff and students will collaborate with Ridley Creek State Park personnel to secure permission and establish specifications for the gaming application and create the experience by April, 2018. Students will take photos of areas of the park in all seasons, learn how to create an augmented reality game by working with the IT, library and computer technology staff and faculty. The software will then be distributed to the park personnel for guest use while in the park.
Significance and Feasibility
Enhancing pedagogy through engagement is a best practice in education. This augmented reality game project will allow students to learn the fine points of computer and information technology while creating a functional product. Ridley Creek State Park desires to function as a partner in the greater Delaware Valley Area and increase awareness of the park features. PSU Brandywine would benefit through the partnership by providing an educational experience to both its students and the local community.
PSU Brandywine has partnered with Ridley Creek State Park for educational and social events in the past and has a true partner with the park personnel. Approval of this project is readily accessible. Publication of this in-park game experience would be included in the Park literature and on their website and include mention of the PSU Brandywine collaboration.
Community Engagement
As described, the community would benefit by the opportunity for an enhanced visit to the park. PSU Brandywine’s partnership with Ridley Creek State Park would be beneficial to its educational mission and as a good neighbor.
