HelioRoom simulates the orbital motion of the planets in the Solar system on a set of synchronized computer displays situated on the walls of the classroom, with planets “orbiting” around the periphery of the room. Third grade students used the application for a problem-solving activity requiring the collection of evidence in support of theories concerning the identity of planets whose size and surface characteristics were intentionally obscured.

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Thompson, M., Moher, T., HelioRoom: Problem-solving in a whole class visual simulation, Proceedings International Conference of the Learning Sciences (ICLS 2006), Bloomington, IN, June 1st, 2006.