What Happens When You Give Players Control of the Ozone Layer?
This is a submission for the MLH x DEV Writing Challenge What I Built For HackPHS's "Into the Skies" hackathon, my team and I built Ozone Inc, an interactive educational game where players explore Earth's atmosphere and the ozone layer and watch temperature and climate change in a simulation. Physics, earth, and atmospheric science felt too interesting to just read about in a book. Instead of…
In the MLH x DEV Writing Challenge, a team developed Ozone Inc, an interactive educational game focused on teaching players about Earth's atmosphere and the ozone layer through simulation. Instead of presenting facts in text, the creators designed an engaging experience where users can manipulate a 3D model of the Earth and observe temperature changes.
The centerpiece of the game is a 3D globe, built using the Three.js library, which allows players to view the planet from any angle and see temperature variations across different regions.
The game's core simulation is based on an energy balance model, which accounts for sunlight absorption, heat radiation, and the impact of greenhouse gases like CO2, methane, and CFCs. The team incorporated published formulas from reputable sources, including the IPCC, NASA, and NOAA/WMO, to ensure the accuracy of the climate model. The simulation features a simplified ocean layer to represent the warming effects on both surface and deep ocean temperatures.
The developers faced the challenge of converting complex climate science into functional code. To validate their work, they tested the emission model by reproducing AR6's published 2019 values. The project was developed using a combination of technologies, including TypeScript, HTML, CSS, JavaScript, Vite, and Three.js, with additional tools like npm, Vitest, ESLint, and Prettier for development and testing.
The team sought to enhance the user experience by integrating audio elements using ElevenLabs, aiming to make the simulation feel more realistic and engaging. This approach not only improved the visual appeal of the game but also demonstrated the potential of sound as an interactive medium. The hackathon experience allowed the developers to explore the intersection of physics, earth science, and atmospheric studies, while also honing their skills in 3D graphics and game development.
By transforming intricate scientific concepts into an interactive and accessible educational game, Ozone Inc represents a creative approach to making complex climate data understandable and engaging for a broader audience. The project showcases the team's commitment to blending technical challenges with scientific communication, ultimately highlighting the power of interactive tools in fostering a deeper understanding of environmental issues.
Written by urgent.news from Dev.to's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
