Dr. Brad Hoge is the Director of HUNSTEM and an Assistant Professor of natural science and science education in the Department of Natural Sciences at The University of Houston - Downtown. Dr. Hoge teaches science content courses for pre-service teachers at the University of Houston – Downtown (UHD). These courses incorporate project-based learning (PBL) into instruction, and utilize web-based learning community tools from HUNSTEM (Houston Urban Network for Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) into classroom projects. He has a M.Ed. in curriculum and instruction and post-baccalaureate teacher certification in both Texas and Louisiana. Dr. Hoge’s PhD is in biogeochemistry. He conducts research with undergraduate students focusing on the ecological succession of mitigated wetlands.
The New Century Energy Game (NCE) developed by Tietronix, Inc. for the Houston Independent School District (HISD) is a immersive micromanagement computer game which will provide a potentially transformative learning experience to 8-10th grade students NCE combines aspects of strategy games and construction and management games, requiring players to build energy companies that must meet the needs of cities throughout the US over the next 50 years.
The talk will focus particularly on how GBL is capable of accomplishing the lofty goals of inquiry-based teaching and problem-based learning. NCE will take smart gaming to the next level by encouraging the promises of PBL through GBL. NCE will fulfill the promise of PBL/GBL by not only engaging students in content lessons, but also in the “construction†of advanced knowledge and skills. This will make NCE transformative not only for student learning and constructivist pedagogy, but also for technology integration into the classroom and learning community involvement in curriculum development.
About TEDx, x = independently organized event 

In the spirit of ideas worth spreading, TEDx is a program of local, self-organized events that bring people together to share a TED-like experience. At a TEDx event, TEDTalks video and live speakers combine to spark deep discussion and connection in a small group. These local, self-organized events are branded TEDx, where x = independently organized TED event. The TED Conference provides general guidance for the TEDx program, but individual TEDx events are self-organized. (Subject to certain rules and regulations.)
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