Some local teens are sitting back and playing a video game as part of a NASA-funded study.

Though it might not feel like an educational exercise, participants are actually fine-tuning their knowledge about the moon.

The game, called Selene, was developed by NASA and other educational agencies to determine what makes a good educational videogame.

Officials at Wheeling Jesuit University said the game teaches kids about the geography of the moon. To be successful at the game, developers said kids have to learn the science of the moon.

Charles Wood of the Center for Educational Technologies said, "The nice thing about the moon is you can play this game and learn about volcanoes and craters, then you can look up at the moon and you can see it. So, there's a real connection."

Creators said the video game format lets children use a technique they're already used to.

Students ages 13 to 18 are being sought to play the game. To begin the registration process, an adult must contact the Center for Educational Technologies on behalf of the player.

For more information, adults are asked to e-mail selene@cet.edu or call Lisa McFarland at 304-243-2479.

-Renee Cardelli & Jasmine Lo, NEWS9