The U.Va. Bay Game will enable student players to simulate both the interdependent behavior of stakeholders (farmers, watermen, developers, local policymakers) whose interests depend on the sustainability of the watershed and the response of the Bay to that behavior.
As a simulation of a complex system, the game will serve as a tool for research, education, and outreach, to the general public and policy makers. Distinctively, it also will serve as a vehicle for multi-disciplinary and multi-sector collaboration and as a model for identifying novel solutions for restoring watersheds worldwide.
The results of this simulation may inform future public policies, private investment trends, and societal behaviors in ways that enhance human health, economic prosperity, and environmental sustainability.
Game development is sponsored by the Office of the Vice President for Research. We know of no other institution or organization developing a similar simulation tool for the Chesapeake Bay.
The faculty team includes representatives from 10 departments in 7 academic units:
Project leader Gerry Learmonth (Engineering and Applied Science), Mark White (Commerce), Dave Smith (Environmental Sciences) Bill Sherman (Architecture), Winston Lung, Paxton Marshall (Engineering and Applied Science), Jon Cannon, Leon Szeptycki (Law), Bob Landel (Darden), and Dick Guerrant (Medicine).
Project development team: Gerry Learmonth, graduate students in Systems and Computer Engineering; software development consultant (Chris Soderquist, Pontifex Consulting).
Five graduate students from Gerry Learmonth’s spring systems integration seminar developed and assembled the Game components: J. Barrett Strausser, Jie Xing, Michael Purvis, Zhenyu Guo, Matthew White.
A student advisory group assisted in Game planning and milestone evaluations:
Elizabeth Tilton, Gregory Tilton, Carter Ware, Lane Ware, Michelle Henry, Jenny Rheuban, Emma Siegfried, Andrew Clark, Brandon Conroy, Matthew Smith.
144 U.Va. students tested the Game.
Project Timeline:
- Week of 6 April: Prototype testing in 3-4 U.Va. classes (Commerce, Architecture/Planning, Environmental Science, Electrical and Computer Engineering);
- 22 April: Earth Day Launch of version 0.9, 4:00 p.m.-5:30 p.m., Harrison Institute Auditorium
- Summer-Fall 2009: Continued game development and launch of version 1.0;
- Fall 2009-Spring 2010: Continued game development by Commerce, Engineering, Environmental Science, Architecture school class projects
For further information, contact: Jeffrey Plank.
Bay Game News
U.Va. Develops Chesapeake Bay Sustainability Game (Research News, 03.23.09)
U.Va.'s New 'Bay Game' to Launch on Earth Day
(Research News, 04.16.19)
UVa computer simulation looks toward bay’s future
(Charlottesville Daily Progress, 04.23.09)
The U.Va. Bay Game (WCAV.TV, 05.04.09)
The U.Va. Bay Game (WVTF Public Radio, 05.06.09)
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