Players select and answer 10 questions from a random pool of 15.

In May, NETG developed a baseball trivia game for the “One for the Books” exhibit at the National Baseball Hall of Fame in Cooperstown, NY.

In this trivia game players try to rack up the most points by correctly answering questions from six categories including Batting, Home Runs, Fielding, Pitching, Teams and Grab Bag.  From a database, the program randomly displays 15 titles that represent the six categories and three point levels.  Players select 10 question tiles to answer.   To earn the highest number of points, players must answer quickly.

At the end of the game players find out how their scores compare to the Top Ten scores of the day and the Top Ten scores of all time.  In the “One for the Books” exhibit there are two trivia stations and the program is designed to combine and present the Top Ten scores from both stations.

A question's point value decreases as time passes.

The program was designed to be highly customizable.  For example, by editing simple text files the museum staff can change, add or delete categories and questions.  The program also generates a usage report to assist the museum in fine tuning the content and difficulty of the questions and categories.

Players see how their score ranks with the Top Ten.

Visitors select a program from the main menu.

At the Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago Money Museum visitors learn about inflation by playing the Money Chase game, using the Inflation Calculator or viewing videos of inflation experts.

Using the Inflation Calculator visitors enter their income and then an inflation rate.  The calculator displays how much someone would need to earn in one, five, and ten years to have the same spending power they have today.

In the Money Chase game, visitors compete against two computer players to buy the most “widgets”.  In round 1 each player has five dollars.  Players bid or pass until all the widgets have been won.  In round 2 each player has ten dollars to bid.  Players  compare the average price of widgets in rounds 1 and  2.  Players see that the price per widget increases in round 2 when there is the same number of widgets but more money in circulation.

In FedExpert visitors select a question about inflation and then hear a video response from an expert at the Federal Reserve.

NETG created all the software for these programs.

Visitors bid for widgets against two computer players.

An expert from the Federal Reserve Bank answers questions about inflation.

“WaterWhys ” challenges visitors  to test their water knowledge.   Up to six players can compete in a game show hosted by Al Wet, who is appears on a six foot tall projection screen.  Players answer water related questions from four categories including Environment, Facts, Recreation and Uses.

Players use a joystick to "munch" the most trash.

“Renew Our Rivers” is another multi-player game.  Each year, the Renew Our Rivers campaign organizes river and lake cleanup events in Alabama, Mississippi, Georgia and Florida.  In this game, up to six players can participate in a virtual cleanup along one of four Alabama Rivers.  Players use joysticks to move their trash “muncher” and collect litter.  At the end of the clean-up, players see how many pounds of trash their “muncher” munched. If you want to see an online version click here.

Visitors collect "critters" to determine if the river is healthy.

“Who Does What” introduces various agencies and individuals who help protect Alabama’s natural resources including foresters, conservationists, fisheries biologists, environmental scientists, chemists and marine police.  Visitors can then try their hand at these various jobs.  For example, a visitor may collect and analyze a water sample, set a catch limit for fish, identify water safety issues, spot birds of prey, plan a forest or determine the health of a river by counting the critters found there.

Visitors can take two virtual video tours.  “Water Course One” is a simulated helicopter tour that explores Alabama’s waterways.  “The Mitchell Dam Tour” gives visitors an inside look at how an hydroelectric dam operates.

“Waste Not, Want Not”  helps visitors visualize the amount of water used for common tasks like washing dishes, taking showers and brushing teeth.   Visitors answer questions about water usage and the correct answer is represented  by a wall of plastic water jugs that virtually “fill” with water using blues lights and sound effects.  For example, if the visitor is asked, “In a week, how much water does the average person use to flush the toilet?”  The containers will appear to fill with the equivalent of 133 gallons!

Three menu controls let users access different content simultaneously.

Visitors can select and view stories and images in various categories.

Visitors explore the history of Northampton County, Pennsylvania by interacting with a series of maps projected on an approximately 6-foot diameter round table.  The GestureTek table allows multiple visitors  to access different content simultaneously.     The table cycles through maps from five different eras including Pre-Penn, Colonial, Republic, Industrial and Present Day.   Visitors can  read stories and view images from categories like Agriculture, Industry, People and Transportation.  A locate feature highlights areas on the map related to the story.

The Interactive Map Table also includes a special mode where teachers can select the maps and stories in order to discuss specific lessons with students.

NETG created all the interactive software for this exhibit.

A story and image accessed from Industry category on the Present Day map.

The bird menu from the broadleaf forest habitat.

The “Bird Dictionary” offers in-depth information about 230 species of birds on display in the Museum of Science’s Bird Hall in Boston, MA.  The birds are organized in eight New England habitats including broadleaf forest, evergreen, cities and suburbs, fields, freshwater wetlands, inland water, seacoasts and oceans.  There are four interactive kiosks each representing two of the habitats.  Visitors choose a habitat and then select a bird to learn more about its habitat, family life, and diet. The visitor can also view an animation of the bird’s flight pattern and hear recordings of the bird’s songs and calls.  Each kiosk includes two habitat specific games for younger visitors.

The bird description includes the bird's common name, Latin name and bird category.

The habitat screen includes a description of the habitat, a range map and the bird's status in New England.