Quarked! Catcher

Name: Quarked! Catcher
Author: University of Kansas

University of Kansas

EVALUATED

Assessed by researchers — mixed findings

For:General Public & EnthusiastsKids & Youth

Free

Download on the App Store

App Summary

Quarked! Catcher is an educational game designed to make the subatomic world of particle physics accessible and engaging for elementary and middle school-aged children. The app is part of the "Quarked!" multimedia project, which was developed by physicists and educators to investigate whether early exposure to fundamental concepts about matter can motivate young learners in science and mathematics. The associated research explores how to present these complex topics in a fun and user-friendly way, potentially supporting the later development of students' scientific understanding.

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Detailed Description

Functionality & Mechanism

Developed by the University of Kansas, 'Quarked! Catcher' is an interactive educational module within the "Adventures in the Subatomic Universe" multimedia project. The system delivers pedagogical content on particle physics through a gamified, user-friendly interface. Sessions are designed to expose learners to abstract subatomic concepts in an accessible and visually engaging format. The application functions as a component within a larger suite of educational resources, including hands-on programs and web-based materials.

Evidence & Research Context

The 'Quarked!' project was developed by a multidisciplinary team of physicists, designers, and museum educators to introduce foundational physics concepts to youth.
Associated research describes the project's pedagogical goal: to motivate elementary and middle school-aged children in science and mathematics through early exposure to particle physics.
A descriptive paper presents assessment results addressing the system's capacity to engage young learners and facilitate their comprehension of abstract scientific ideas.
The research also evaluates the material's perceived relevance and utility among educators for integration into science curricula.

Intended Use & Scope

This application is designed for educators and students in elementary and middle school settings. Its primary utility is as a supplementary tool to introduce foundational concepts in particle physics and stimulate interest in the physical sciences. It does not constitute a comprehensive curriculum and is intended to augment, not replace, formal instruction.

Studies & Publications

1 publication

Peer-reviewed research associated with this app.

Evaluation Study

The multimedia project Quarked!

Bean et al. (2011) · DPF-2011 Conference Proceedings (arXiv)

Assessment conducted but results on engagement or understanding were not clearly reported.

Can exposure to fundamental ideas about the nature of matter help motivate children in math and science and support the development of their understanding of these ideas later? Physicists, designers, and museum educators at the University of Kansas created the Quarked!(tm) Adventures in the subatomic Universe project to provide an opportunity for youth to explore the subatomic world in a fun and user friendly way. The project components include a website (located at http://www.quarked.org) and hands-on education programs. These are described and assessment results are presented. Questions addressed include the following. Can you engage elementary and middle school aged children with concepts related to particle physics? Can young children make sense of something they can't directly see? Do teachers think the material is relevant to their students?

In the Media

Quarked! Particle Physics Games

University of Kansas professors Philip Baringer and Alice Bean developed Quarked! Catcher to make particle physics education accessible to grade school students through interactive gaming, using ActionScript programming and Adobe Flash animation. High school students created games including "Mass Matters," which involves shooting quarks and leptons through the Higgs field to determine particle mass order based on Higgs Boson interactions. The project contributes to the Quarked.org website collection that reaches students at early ages to demonstrate that "thinking about science can be fun and rewarding."

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