About Us

StarLogo Nova is a block-based programming website aimed towards late-elementary to high school students. Users will be able to model real-life 3D simulations, learn about computational modeling, and create multi-agent games. The platform is being developed by the Scheller Teacher Education Program (STEP), directed by Eric Klopfer, at MIT with Daniel Wendel serving as lead developer.

History

StarLogo Nova is a part of the “Logo family tree,” which began development in the early to mid 1960s at MIT by Wally Feurzeig, Seymour Papert, and Cynthia Solomon. Logo was created as a tool to improve the way that children think and solve problems with its developers emphasizing the importance of being a simple language that is understandable to younger students. By 1969, Logo began being used in elementary through middle schools with a real-life turtle robot being moved around to draw certain patterns and shapes onto a real-life canvas. There were also virtual versions of the turtle that had similar functionality. These “turtle robots” were popular up till the early 90s.

Beginning in the mid-late 90s, StarLogo began development under Mitchel Resnick and Eric Klopfer at MIT as an extension of the Logo language. StarLogo was originally designed so students could model or simulate the behavior of simulated systems with the first versions being text-based and running on Macintosh computers.

In order to make it more accessible and understandable to younger users, StarLogo TNG started development in the early-mid 2000s. The key difference between StarLogo and StarLogo TNG is moving from text-based language to block-based. As the archived predecessor of StarLogo Nova, it also includes 3-D graphics, sound, block-based interface, and keyboard input. Finally, in the early 2010s, StarLogo Nova began its development, which transitioned many of the old functions of StarLogo TNG into a web interface along with new features.

Beta Version

The beta version of StarLogo Nova was released in mid 2014. It continues the use of the block-based language and 3D visualization and brings them to web browsers. There were many updated design features that were added in StarLogo Nova. Most notably, any block or command can be performed by any agent, but every breed will have its own program and set of traits. This makes StarLogo Nova similar to an object-oriented programming design, allowing students to transition to popular languages easier. Other changes include embedded arguments, What You See Is What You Get (WYSIWYG) editing, and splitting the collision primitive into its component halve. Since the release of beta, StarLogo Nova has gone through multiple iterations of updates, improving user experience and adding new features.

3.0 Version

The latest released version of StarLogo Nova brings a host of exciting features aimed to improve simulation experience and empower educators and students alike. With an improved simulation engine renderer, delivers a smoother performance with enhanced lighting realism, glow effects, and version converter from previous StarLogo Nova versions. This update also introduces powerful user-created properties, including custom blocks, assets, traits, and patches, enabling creators to tailor their simulations to their goals. In regards to blocks or widgets, many can now change colors, fonts, sizes, etc. For user convenience and to reach a broader outreach, the platform includes a revised Privacy Policy and EULA (End-User License Agreement), with a streamlined single-sign on (SSO) that includes Google, Microsoft, and Apple sign in. Now, each block comes with its own tooltip linked to our wiki, giving users quick access to clear explanations of what the block does.

Acknowledgements

StarLogo Nova is supported through funding by the following STEP projects, BioGraph, Biograph 2.0, and DC Models, along with the Litzinger Road Ecology Foundation and Linde Family Foundation. All of these projects and foundations are based upon work supported by the National Science Foundation (NSF). Any opinions, findings, or conclusions expressed are those of the authors, not necessarily the views of the NSF. The NSF and other funders do not endorse or condone any specific statements or content released by StarLogo Nova.

Credits

(insert STL alumni)