Research Mentor Information
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Primary Research Mentor Name: Xiaotong Yang
Research Mentor Preferred Pronouns: She/Her
When potential research assistants are reaching out via email, what is your preferred honorific?: Ms.
Contact Email (FSU Email if affiliated): xy18d@fsu.edu
Position Title: Graduate Student
Faculty Advisor Name: {Empty}
Faculty Advisor's FSU Email: {Empty}
FSU College (if applicable): Education
FSU Department or Non-FSU Organization Affiliation: Educational Psychology & Learning Systems
Headshot (optional): https://cre.fsu.edu/system/files/webform/urop_project_proposal_portal/8051/touxiang3.jpeg

Additional Research Mentor(s)
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Research Assistant Supervisor (if different from above): {Empty}
Research Assistant Supervisor Preferred Pronouns: {Empty}
Research Assistant Supervisor Preferred Honorific?: {Empty}
Contact Email (FSU Email if affiliated): {Empty}
Name of Other Faculty/Collaborator(s) (if applicable): {Empty}
Other Faculty/Collaborator(s) Preferred Pronouns: {Empty}
Other Faculty/Collaborator(s) Preferred Honorific?: {Empty}
Contact Email (FSU Email if affiliated): {Empty}

Overall Project Details
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Title of the Project: Video Games for K-12 STEM Education
Project Keywords: Game-Based Learning, K-12, STEM Education
Are you currently looking for research assistants?: No
Number of Research Assistants Needed : 2
Relevant Research Assistant Major(s):
Open to all majors

Project Location:: Virtual
If the project location is off campus, does the research assistant(s) need to provide their own transportation?: No, the project is remote
Please select the choice that most accurately describes your expectations for the research assistant(s):: Fully Remote
Approximately how many hours a week would the research assistant(s) need to work?: 6
Roughly what time frame do you expect research assistant(s) to work?: During business hours
Overall Research Project Description:
Video games can be used to help students learn STEM subjects. For instance, young children learn block-based coding by playing Minecraft while overcoming fun game challenges. Compared to traditional school teaching methods like lectures, teaching STEM with games proves to be more effective not only in enhancing students' disciplinary knowledge but also in fostering creativity and interest in STEM careers. 

This research project seeks to understand what and how video games can help K-12 teachers teach STEM subjects such as math, science, and programming. First, I will create a list of 10-20 STEM learning games from the internet that are suitable for K-12 use based on criteria derived from literature. Then, I will collaborate with five schoolteachers from the Fayetteville-Manlius Central School District in Central New York to design and implement game-based lessons using one or more games from the list. By conducting classroom observations and interviews with the teachers, I intend to undertake a multiple-case study that explores practical teaching strategies related to game-based pedagogy. 

Research Tasks:
A vast array of STEM educational video games can be found online. However, not all these games are appropriate for K-12 teachers to incorporate into their classrooms. In this research project, UROP students will undertake the task of reviewing relevant literature to identify criteria for selecting suitable educational games for K-12 use. They will then search the internet to identify games that meet these criteria.

Through participation in this project, UROP students will acquire valuable skills such as conducting literature searches on academic databases, effectively taking notes while reviewing journal articles, and becoming familiar with the APA citation format. Additionally, students will have the opportunity to play fun STEM games and evaluate them from a researcher's perspective.

Skills that research assistant(s) may need::
This project is entirely remote, and we will have weekly Zoom meetings. Therefore, it is required for students to have access to a computer with a camera and a stable internet connection. Communication will primarily take place via email, in addition to our Zoom meetings, so students should be capable of sending and receiving emails regularly. Lastly, students should be acquainted with web-based applications such as Google Docs and Google Sheets, as these will serve as our primary collaboration platforms.

Mentoring Philosophy:
As a Ph.D. student, I firmly believe in mentorship as a partnership where we learn from one another. It is my aim to create a supportive environment where everyone feels heard, respected, and included. In this research team, consisting of myself and two UROP research assistants, I consider each assistant to be a valuable team member and friend, rather than just a helper. I recognize the significance of their unique perspectives, experiences, and knowledge in contributing to the success of our project.

Furthermore, I understand that mentorship extends beyond research; it encompasses personal and professional growth. I understand that undergraduate students, particularly those in their early academic years, may be uncertain about their passions and future goals. In this regard, I am committed to engaging in open discussions with my mentees, exploring different possibilities, and providing them with any available professional development resources. I am excited to work with UROP students on this fun and meaningful research project, where we can all learn and thrive.


Please provide a link to your publications, a video clip, or a website for your research project (if applicable):: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-4708-2686
Please add any additional information here (if applicable)::
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Roundtable times and Zoom links:
Wed September 6, 3-3:30 pm. https://fsu.zoom.us/j/8020747542
Thu September 7, 3-3:30 pm. https://fsu.zoom.us/j/8020747542
Zoom recording of the roundtable on September 6: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MnAqbCuxcN4

UROP Program Elements
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Mentor Handbook, FAQs, and Communication: Yes
UROP Performance Evaluation: Yes
Materials Grant: Yes
UROP Poster Presentation: Yes
Faculty Advisor Confirmation: {Empty}

Are you interested in attending in a UROP Research Mentor Workshop Series?: No
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Year: 2023
update url: https://cre.fsu.edu/urop-research-mentor-project-submission-portal?element_parents=elements/research_mentor_information/headshot_optional_&ajax_form=1&_wrapper_format=drupal_ajax&token=LJpkVz3BWQvymM4LGaroOkJ6o-raS07IxsAMKUMVRTc