3D Simulation - Antarctica: Witness of Time

• Sandra Freiberger Affonso Federal University of ABC http://orcid.org/0000-0001-7115-0733
• Silvia Cristina Dotta Federal University of ABC https://orcid.org/0000-0003-3555-1630
• Andre Luiz Belem Fluminense Federal University https://orcid.org/0000-0002-8865-6180
• Fernanda Codevilla Soares Interantar https://orcid.org/0000-0003-3714-9397
• Edson Pinheiro Pimentel Federal University of ABC https://orcid.org/0000-0003-2838-212X
• Flavia Sant'Anna Rios Federal University of Paraná https://orcid.org/0000-0001-8651-1714
• Carlos Jair Coletto Federal University of ABC

DOI: https://doi.org/10.5753/cbie_estendido.2022.225860

Abstract

The 3D Simulation - Antarctica: Witness of Time was developed by a group of professors and researchers in the different areas of Climate Change, Oceanography, Anthropology, Biology, Computing, Communication and Education together with a team of IT developers, with the main purpose of demonstrating, through of three-dimensional animations, important events that illustrate some of the main climate and geographical changes that have taken place on planet Earth. In a timeline, which begins long before humanity as we know it, until some time in the future, it is possible for the user to interact with parameters such as the average concentration of carbon dioxide (CO2) in the atmosphere and the average global temperature in different geological epochs. These two parameters are linked in the climate history of the planet and whenever the concentration of CO2 increases, the temperature of the planet is also higher. In this respect, Antarctica, one of the Earth's polar regions, is an important reference point for monitoring climate change. Through scientific research, traces of the past trapped in ice, the formation and distribution of rocks, among other data, can contribute to understanding Earth's climate past and help create predictions for the future. The main objective of this product is to introduce the subject of Climate Change focusing on the importance of the polar regions of the planet (Antarctica and Arctic) in Education. The product is intended for students in Elementary School 2 and High School, preferably between 11 and 16 years old. The content is essentially transdisciplinary, and can be used in subjects such as Science, Geography, History, Informatics, Language and Sociology, to address important points related to environmental issues and scientific research. The main innovation of the product is to offer a 3D simulation learning object for desktop, developed according to the Intera methodology and based on the socio-interactionist theoretical-methodological approach. The simulation allows the interaction with the timeline of geological events with the evolution of the Antarctic environment, and with an emphasis on climate change and anthropogenic actions. The Simulation is formed by a set of animated blocks in 3D computer graphics, available on an online platform on the web, and developed in a digital game engine. It contains an infographic guide, 30 explanatory hotspots with animations and 3D visualization of each geological, geographic or historical division generated, with visual vocabulary with study of colors, textures and movements in harmony with the object presented.

Keywords: Three-dimensional animations, Polar regions, Climate change, Anthropogenic impacts

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