Recent years have seen a growing recognition of the transformative potential of game-based learning technologies. With support from the National Science Foundation, for the past five years NC State has been creating intelligent game-based learning environments that utilize commercial game engines and leverage artificial intelligence to create customized learning experiences.

With this innovative grant supported by the Next Generation Learning Challenge (NGLC), NC State and ECU are partnering to deliver this innovative software in a classroom setting in Harnett and Johnston Counties in North Carolina.

Crystal Island is an intelligent game-based learning environment that has been developed for middle grade students. Students interact with Crystal Island to solve a science mystery as they learn about microbiology.

To date, more than 1,000 students have used Crystal Island, and rigorous studies have demonstrated that it helps students achieve significant learning gains. In the proposed work, Crystal Island will be extended to provide literacy education for middle grade students. The project will focus on the deployment of Crystal Island in classrooms of low SES rural middle schools in eastern North Carolina.