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Project EcoGrid Team CerebraX

CEREBRAX

WWW.CLEANING .COM

From Space to Soil — Play, Learn, and Build a Sustainable Planet.

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��Global agriculture faces two big gaps:

Awareness Gap: NASA collects terabytes of climate and crop data daily, but it stays technical, hidden behind scientific portals.

Action Gap: Farmers and students don’t get to interact with this data or understand how it affects soil, crops, and food production.�

Our Intention:�EcoGrid bridges both gaps through an interactive simulation — where users see the same satellite data NASA scientists use and learn how to farm sustainably.�

Our Vision:

  • Make global environmental data interactive and intuitive.
  • Teach sustainability through play — not lectures.
  • Let every player experience how space technology helps farmers on Earth.

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Problem

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What EcoGrid really is

EcoGrid is a web-based strategy and simulation game where real NASA satellite data determines the conditions of the world you play in.

�Here’s how it works:

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  • When you start the game, you see a world map (built from NASA’s global crop and land-use data).

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  • You select a region, like South Asia, and begin with a small patch of land.

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  • The game instantly fetches real NASA data for that region:
    • Soil moisture (SMAP)
    • Vegetation index (NDVI/EVI) (MODIS)
    • Rainfall (GPM)
    • Crop classification (GFSAD)
    • Temperature and evapotranspiration (MODIS/GLDAS)

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  • Using these parameters, the game builds a scenario — drought, flood, heatwave, or balanced weather.

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  • You then make farming decisions:
    • Choose the right crop.
    • Plan irrigation or conserve water.
    • Use organic fertilizers.
    • Restore soil fertility through sustainable practices.

Each action affects your land’s NDVI, yield, and sustainability score.�When you make environmentally positive choices, you unlock more land and new regions — progressing from local to global farming management.

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In simple words:�EcoGrid converts scientific data into interactive cause-and-effect systems that help players see how small decisions ripple across the environment.

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Science Behind the Gameplay

Game Mechanic

NASA Dataset

How It’s Used in the Game

Drought and irrigation levels

SMAP (Soil Moisture Active Passive)

Determines water stress in soil — affects crop growth rate.

Vegetation growth & health

MODIS NDVI/EVI

Updates map color dynamically — greener = healthier vegetation.

Rainfall simulation

GPM (Global Precipitation Measurement)

Triggers weather events like heavy rain, flood, or drought.

Crop zones & land cover

USGS GFSAD (Global Food Security dataset)

Determines what crops can be grown where.

Climate stress (heat/cold)

MODIS LST & GLDAS climate data

Influences evaporation, yield, and water needs.

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Game Level and Design

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Level - 0

  • Teaches basic farming choices (crop selection + irrigation).
  • Shows how rainfall & soil moisture affect plant health using live NASA SMAP and GPM data.

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  • Adds drought-resilient crop planning.
  • Introduces vegetation indices (NDVI/EVI) for monitoring stress.

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  • Focuses on soil restoration and organic farming practices.
  • Adds advanced metrics like LAI/FPAR for canopy health.

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  • Player handles multiple lands with mixed data inputs (rainfall, temperature, NDVI).
  • Introduces a challenge mode — “Feed the World Sustainably.”

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Level 1

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Difficulty Progression:

  • Level 0–1: 2 datasets → basic decision impact
  • Level 2: 4 datasets → multi-variable optimization
  • Level 3: 6+ datasets → simulate complex ecosystems

Our gameplay is structured like a journey through real-world agricultural challenges.

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Core Concept Established:

  • Developed a retro-style 2D pixel farming simulator with a clear objective.

Gameplay Loop Implemented:

  • Players can successfully execute the core mechanic: Plant -> Irrigate -> Harvest.
  • A time-based challenge ("Heat Wave") creates a sense of urgency and a clear win/loss condition.

Dynamic Challenge using NASA Data:

  • Utilized NASA Earthdata Search to acquire real-world climate data.
  • Each game session is randomized with a daily temperature value, which directly adjusts the timer's difficulty.
  • Introduced a variable crop inventory for each playthrough, adding a strategic challenge.

Atmosphere and Polish:

  • Integrated royalty-free, retro-style background music to enhance the game's theme and player experience.
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Progress So Far

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CLEANING AGENCY

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CerebraX

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Future Vision

Next Steps

Long-Term Goal:

“EcoGrid is not just a game — it’s a digital bridge between space research and human sustainability.”

  • Integrate AppEEARS API to fetch live NASA data.
  • Add AI-based advisor that recommends the best farming strategies for each region.
  • Expand dataset coverage to include pest/disease prediction and carbon footprint tracking.

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Use EcoGrid as a learning tool for schools, NGOs, and environmental programs, turning Earth science education into an interactive experience accessible to all.