Mwaffo Violet, Korneyeva Veronika, Porfiri Maurizio
Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, New York University Tandon School of Engineering , Brooklyn, New York.
Zebrafish. 2017 Oct;14(5):477-488. doi: 10.1089/zeb.2016.1409. Epub 2017 Jun 1.
As the zebrafish is rapidly becoming a species of choice in preclinical research, several efforts are being placed toward creating educational programs for K-12 students based on this promising model organism. However, as any other model organisms, the use of zebrafish in classroom settings requires additional experimental resources and poses ethical challenges related to animal use. To mitigate these factors, we have developed an application (app), simUfish, which implements a mathematical model of zebrafish behavior for generating multiple fish trajectories and animating their body undulations. simUfish is developed using a multiplatform game engine and is expected to promote the knowledge of zebrafish behavior to both K-12 students and the general public. Specifically, it demonstrates basic principles of fish individual and social behaviors, including environment interaction; fear response toward a predator; shoaling; and attraction toward a stimulus, which can be a food source or simply a finger placed on the touch screen. The effectiveness of the app as an accessible experimental tool for learning was tested in an outreach activity on middle school students from the New York City school system. The results from this activity show an immediate, tangible improvement of students' satisfaction and willingness to learn about key concepts on zebrafish behavior, accompanied by high level of interest in life sciences.
随着斑马鱼迅速成为临床前研究的首选物种，人们正在做出多项努力，基于这种前景广阔的模式生物为K-12学生创建教育项目。然而，与任何其他模式生物一样，在课堂环境中使用斑马鱼需要额外的实验资源，并带来与动物使用相关的伦理挑战。为了缓解这些因素，我们开发了一款应用程序simUfish，它实现了一个斑马鱼行为数学模型，用于生成多条鱼的轨迹并为它们的身体波动制作动画。simUfish是使用多平台游戏引擎开发的，有望向K-12学生和普通公众推广斑马鱼行为知识。具体来说，它展示了鱼类个体和社会行为的基本原理，包括与环境的相互作用；对捕食者的恐惧反应；聚群；以及对刺激物的吸引力，刺激物可以是食物来源，也可以仅仅是放在触摸屏上的一根手指。该应用程序作为一种便于使用的学习实验工具的有效性，在一次针对纽约市学校系统中学生的外展活动中进行了测试。这次活动的结果显示，学生对斑马鱼行为关键概念的满意度和学习意愿立即有了切实的提高，同时对生命科学也表现出了浓厚的兴趣。
