Briefing Document: Big Bang Legends App and Open Source Physics Resources

1. Introduction

This document provides an overview of the "Big Bang Legends" app and the larger Open Educational Resources / Open Source Physics @ Singapore project, based on the provided website excerpt. The aim is to understand the context of the app and the educational philosophy driving its creation and promotion.

2. Big Bang Legends App Overview

• Purpose: The "Big Bang Legends" app is a free-to-play educational puzzle game designed to teach elementary particle physics concepts using the theme of the Big Bang.
• Gameplay: The app features:
• "Atom Heroes" that players collect.
• Puzzles and mazes to solve.
• Battles against antimatter.
• Target Audience: The game is described as "elementary particle physics inspired," suggesting a primary or secondary school audience. It is designed to be engaging with the fun gameplay element.
• Development Team: It was developed by the creators of the Angry Birds games and animation.
• Platform Availability: Initially available only on iOS, the source mentions a planned Android release.
• Promotion: This app is shared through the Open Educational Resources / Open Source Physics @ Singapore digital library.

Key Takeaways:

• Gamification of Physics: The app leverages the engaging nature of puzzle games to teach complex physics concepts.
• Accessibility: The app is free-to-play, making it widely accessible.

3. Open Educational Resources / Open Source Physics @ Singapore Initiative

The excerpt comes from a much larger resource, "Open Educational Resources / Open Source Physics @ Singapore." This website appears to be a hub for a wide variety of educational tools, resources and events for the teaching of physics and other subjects. Here are the key themes and important facts:

• Focus: The platform heavily focuses on interactive simulations and modeling tools, especially using JavaScript, HTML5, and WebGL technologies. The resources cover a broad spectrum of science and math topics from Primary level to Junior College (highschool) level.
• Open Source: The project heavily emphasizes "Open Source," indicating a commitment to free and accessible educational materials. The site mentions several times the Open Source Physics initiative.
• Resource Types: The website offers a vast array of educational materials, including:
• JavaScript/HTML5 Applets: These are interactive simulations covering topics such as mechanics, electricity, magnetism, optics, quantum physics, thermodynamics, and mathematics. This is a prominent offering, with countless simulations listed.
• Tracker Videos: The platform utilizes the "Tracker" software to analyze videos, creating models, and visualizing data.
• Interactive Models: These range from basic math models (e.g., "Primary School Numbers from 1 to 100") to advanced physics models.
• Software tools and app development resources
• Information about workshops, events and lectures
• Translations
• Technology Emphasis: The website highlights the use of specific technologies like:
• Easy JavaScript/Java Simulations (EJS/EJSS): This is a recurring technology, suggesting a powerful tool at the core of the initiative. This also implies that the team actively contributes to and modifies these open tools.
• JavaScript, HTML5, WebGL for web-based simulations.
• Tracker for video analysis and modeling.
• Community and Collaboration: There's an emphasis on collaboration as the workshops are often led by multiple international professors and contributors. Many named individuals and institutions (like edulab@AST) suggest community.
• Awards and Recognition: The initiative has received multiple awards, including a UNESCO prize, Ministry of Education awards, and Public Service awards. This indicates the project's impact and recognition within the education community.
• Licensing: The content is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 4.0 Singapore License, with separate licensing for commercial use of EasyJavaScriptSimulations.
• Breadth of Subject Matter: While physics dominates, the platform also features resources for math and chemistry, indicating a wider scope of subject matter.

4. Important Quotes From the Source

• Regarding the Big Bang Legends App: "An elementary particle physics inspired puzzler featuring the smallest of superheroes - the Atoms! Collect Atom Heroes, solve puzzles and mazes, and battle with the antimatter!" This quote clearly explains the game's core mechanics and its educational premise.
• Regarding the Open Source Physics project: "Open Source Physics at Singapore Ministry of Education GOLD Innergy Award 2016 HQ" - This quote indicates that the Open Source Physics initiative is of high standing and recognised by official educational authorities.

5. Synthesis and Implications

• Integration of Technology and Gamification: The "Big Bang Legends" app is one example of how this platform is embracing technology and gamification to make learning more engaging and effective. The large number of interactive applets is evidence of this.
• Open Educational Resources Philosophy: The initiative is firmly grounded in the principles of open education.
• Focus on Interactive Learning: The emphasis on simulations and models suggests an active learning approach, encouraging students to explore concepts rather than just passively receive information.
• Teacher Support and Training: The inclusion of workshops, events and software documentation indicates an understanding that teachers need training and resources to effectively use such tech.
• Potential Reach: The extensive collection of resources is clearly meant to be shared and accessed by a wide range of students and educators, both inside Singapore and further afield.

6. Conclusion

The "Big Bang Legends" app is a small part of a much larger ecosystem of open educational resources. The Open Educational Resources / Open Source Physics @ Singapore project is a robust effort to create freely accessible and technologically advanced tools for teaching and learning science and math. The project is characterized by its commitment to interactive simulations, open source principles, and collaboration among educators and researchers. It represents a significant effort to make science education more engaging, accessible, and effective.

This should provide a good overview based on the material provided.