SciStory: Designing AI-Supported Inquiry in Science Learning Games

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Published: Dec 11, 2025
DOI: https://doi.org/10.14434/ijdl.v16i2.42049
Keywords:
game-based learning, AI agents, socio-scientific issues
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Special Section: GenAI in Learning Design
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Megan Humburg
Indiana University
Joshua Danish
University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
Yeojin Kim
North Carolina State University
Cindy Hmelo-Silver
Indiana University Bloomington
Dalila Dragnić-Cindrić
Digital Promise
Zach Ryan
Indiana University Bloomington
Krista Glazewski
North Carolina State University
https://orcid.org/0000-0002-3412-4218
James Lester
North Carolina State University

Abstract

This design case explores how an AI-supported, narrative-centered science learning game (SciStory: Pollinators) was designed over multiple iterations to support middle schoolers’ socioscientific learning, engagement, and persuasive writing. The case highlights how AI-driven conversational agents were designed to support student-led socioscientific inquiry, and the tensions our team explored as we integrated agents into a story game about community food systems, pollinators, and neighborhood land use.

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How to Cite
Humburg, M., Danish, J., Kim, Y., Hmelo-Silver, C., Dragnić-Cindrić, D., Ryan, Z., … Lester, J. (2025). SciStory: Designing AI-Supported Inquiry in Science Learning Games. International Journal of Designs for Learning, 16(2), 170–181. https://doi.org/10.14434/ijdl.v16i2.42049
Author Biographies

Megan Humburg, Indiana University

Megan Humburg is a Postdoctoral Fellow at Indiana University. Her research explores interdisciplinary science learning, engagement, and playful inquiry.

Joshua Danish, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign

Joshua Danish is a Professor at the University of Illinois. His research focuses on the role of representations in supporting thinking and learning.

Yeojin Kim, North Carolina State University

Yeojin Kim is a Research Scientist at North Carolina State University. Her research focuses on AI, machine learning, and natural language processing.

Cindy Hmelo-Silver, Indiana University Bloomington

Cindy Hmelo-Silver is a Distinguished Professor of Learning Sciences at Indiana University. Her research focuses on how people engage in technology-supported collaborative inquiry in STEM learning.

Dalila Dragnić-Cindrić, Digital Promise

Dalila Dragnić-Cindrić is a Senior Research Scientist at Digital Promise. Her research focuses on collaboration and regulation of learning in STEM.

Zach Ryan, Indiana University Bloomington

Zach Ryan is a PhD graduate from Indiana University. His research focuses on playful learning in natural environments to build relationality to place.

Krista Glazewski, North Carolina State University

Krista Glazewski is Executive Director of the Friday Institute and Associate Dean for Translational Research. Her research focuses on scaffolding in complex problem-solving environments.

James Lester, North Carolina State University

James Lester is the Goodnight Distinguished University Professor in Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning at North Carolina State University. His research focuses on AI and education.

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This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License.

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