Marina Bers

For creating "identity construction environments" (ICEs) to foster positive development of children who are at risk of mental health-related problems--for example, those undergoing heart and kidney transplants. ICEs are multi-user, virtual environments to help youth develop competence, character, and confidence. Bers has designed technology tools ranging from robotics to collaborative learning environments and from storytelling programming languages to tangible human-computer interfaces. Her developmental technologies support young people in their quest to progress.