Hulme presents at international conference on training, simulation and education

By Peter Murphy

Held on Dec. 2 in Orlando, Florida, I/ITSEC is the largest modeling, simulation and training event in the world. The conference features peer-reviewed paper presentations, tutorials, special events, professional workshops, a commercial exhibit hall, a serious game competition, and STEM events for teachers and secondary students.

Hulme’s presentation was an overview of a peer-reviewed research paper highlighting the effectiveness of game-based learning, physics-based modeling and high-fidelity driving simulation to convey vehicle dynamics principals in K-12 STEM education.

“During the summer of 2023, the game-based learning (GBL) curriculum served as a primary instructional component for the National Summer Transportation Institute (NSTI) sponsored by the Department of Transportation,” Hulme says. “Students enrolled in the institute participated in GBL to better understand vehicle dynamics.”

The NSTI program is overseen annually by associate professor Qian Wang, associate professor of teaching in the Department of Civil, Structural and Environmental Engineering. Wang is also co-author of the presentation. The paper and presentation are part of the I/ITSEC’s education subcommittee and offer another opportunity for various UB ISTL researchers and students to be recognized. 

Hulme also presented a professional development workshop at the conference. His workshop, “Beyond the Basics—An Interactive ‘Deep Dive’ into Vehicle Modeling & Simulation (M&S) Fundamentals,” focused on advanced mathematical simulation techniques. Hulme provided an explanation of classical vehicle concepts, as well as contemporary applications of emerging technologies like artificial intelligence; game engines; virtual, augmented and mixed reality techniques; and several more.

In 2023, Hulme received the Best Tutorial award at I/ITSEC for his tutorial titled, “Behind the Screams: M&S Anatomy and Decomposition of Contemporary Ride System Attraction.” In 2022, a team of UB ISTL researchers received the Best Paper award at the conference after winning the competition at the modeling and simulation conference MODSIM World that same year. UB ISTL researchers also presented in 2021.

Hulme has worked in modeling and simulation for several years. He was recently designated with a “Master” distinction in this area, according to the Certified Modeling and Simulation Professional (CMSP) program. The CMSP program, sponsored by the National Training and Simulation Association (NTSA), recognizes diverse professionals with work, education, knowledge, skills, and abilities in modeling and simulation.