Game-like environments for nuclear engineering education using GECK

Computer games have an enormous potential to grab the undivided attention of kids ranging from 13 to 23 years of age. This paper explores a new game engine called Garden of Eden Creation Kit (GECK) to enhance teaching and content retention of some concepts in nuclear reactor engineering. Game engine technology commonly used to develop computer and video games can be used to model and simulate 3-D interactive educational games with the help of custom-made packages and/or using well-known programming language. Specifically, some of the built-in features of the game engine are exploited to boost interactivity. The developed game reported here is aimed at providing supplemental teaching at the freshman level. With this technology, students can "play" and learn some basic concepts in nuclear reactor engineering through these specifically developed interactive and 3-D graphical models and scenarios.