Yes! The Whyology Center is back! On behalf of the newest Whyology team -- dfeldon, themis, katyakit and Noleedoll -- I just want to tell you all, it is great to re-open the Center in Whyville to learn about you and your town.

In January, we will begin a brand-new study to help us better understand Whyville's games and its citizens... we want YOU!

Whyvillians who get involved will earn lots of clams AND get a temporary Why-Pass. In fact, if you complete the study, you can keep your temporary Why-Pass until June 30, 2005. :-)

Now, let's face it -- we scientists are always interested in how people think about and learn science. The better we understand that, we Whyologists believe, the more places like Whyville, other virtual communities, and even your school can get better at explaining science. Curious about what we learned last time? Check out Whyology Center Finds the Scoop!

Whyvillians who want to contribute to our study will need to fill out a consent form with their parents first. Then you'll get to fill out a series of surveys, all designed to help us better understand learning in Whyville and online.

Even if you do not participate in the study, you may still meet a researcher in Whyville. We're adults, but not official City Workers, though we have our own special hats. We'll hang out on Whyville, chat and play games with you, to see where Whyvillians like to go and what you like to do and discuss with each other.

The Whyology study is being conducted by Dr. Yasmin Kafai, an Associate Professor at the Graduate School of Education & Information Studies at the University of California, Los Angeles. If you have any questions or concerns about the research, please feel free to contact the Whyologists at kafainsf@gseis.ucla.edu. (Email Updated!)

For more information and to sign up to be a part of this study, a link will be here soon.

Past announcements by the Whyologists include:

Whyology Center
Quick Cash
Last Chance!!!
Whyology Center Finds the Scoop