Quarked! Cross

Name: Quarked! Cross
Author: University of Kansas

University of Kansas

VALIDATED

Proven effective in research studies

For:General Public & EnthusiastsKids & Youth

Free

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App Summary

Quarked! Cross is a crossword puzzle game designed to introduce elementary and middle school-aged youth to the vocabulary of the subatomic universe. This app is part of the larger 'Quarked!' educational project, whose scientific basis comes from an exploratory study indicating its approach can make concepts of scale and matter engaging and accessible for young learners. The associated research concludes that children as young as second grade are aware of microscopic entities and that teachers consider the material relevant to existing curricula.

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Detailed Description

Functionality & Mechanism

Developed at the University of Kansas, Quarked! Cross is a digital educational game designed to reinforce subatomic physics terminology. The system presents a series of crossword puzzles focused on the vocabulary of particle physics, requiring users to input correct terms based on provided clues. It functions as a component of the broader 'Quarked! Adventures in the Subatomic Universe' project. The interface leverages a familiar game-based format to deliver specific pedagogical content related to the particulate nature of matter.

Evidence & Research Context

The app is part of the 'Quarked! Adventures in the Subatomic Universe' multimedia project, which was the subject of an exploratory pilot study.
Research associated with the parent project indicates its educational approach is engaging and accessible for elementary and middle school students.
A pilot evaluation found that teachers consider the project's materials relevant to existing science curricula.
The authors note the project supports the finding that children as young as second grade can reason about microscopic entities that are studied indirectly.

Intended Use & Scope

This tool is intended for educators and students in elementary and middle school as a supplementary resource for physics education. Its primary utility is the reinforcement of scientific vocabulary in an interactive format. The app is not a comprehensive curriculum and is designed to complement, not replace, formal classroom instruction in the physical sciences.

Studies & Publications

2 publications

Peer-reviewed research associated with this app.

Evaluation Study

The Multimedia Project Quarked!

Bean et al. (2011) · 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?

Effectiveness/Outcome Study

Adventures in the Subatomic Universe: An exploratory study of a scientist-museum physics education project

MacDonald et al. (2010) · Public Understanding of Science

Successfully presented particle physics concepts in an engaging way that teachers found curriculum-relevant.

Quarked!™ is a collaborative education project between physicists, museum educators and designers that was developed to introduce youth to concepts of scale and the particulate nature of matter through hands-on museum programs and a website with animated videos, games and lesson plans. A pilot study was carried out to assess the project's success in presenting these concepts in a fun and engaging way for an elementary and middle school aged audience, to investigate its relevance to teachers, and to explore children's awareness of things that they cannot directly see. We found that children as young as second grade are aware of microscopic entities that can be studied indirectly. Our study also suggests that concepts of scale and matter can be presented in a way that is engaging and accessible to youth, and that teachers consider relevant to existing curricula.