Science Bulletins A model for sharing current scientific

Science Bulletins A model for sharing current scientific visualizations with Informal Science Institutions NOAA So. S Workshop Jan 22 – 24, 2007

§ Reaches >14 million visitors annually across the country at 40 informal learning centers § Updating, Current Science Multimedia Program § Designed for public exhibition (and disseminated on the Web)

§ Current space, Earth, and life science § Updates bi-weekly § High-resolution, dynamic, interpreted images

Earth Science Data Visualization § Global Remotely Sensed Data Sets - Interconnected Earth Systems - Focus on Biosphere § Dynamic Processes, Global Change, Human Impact

Key Program Elements • Production Model • Distribution Model • Dissemination Model • Ongoing Evaluation

Production Model • In-house visualization capacity, ongoing access to data • Ph. D Scientists key part of production team and review of content • Design (visual elements: time, key, etc. ) • Editorial (annotations, captions, etc. ) – What’s the Story?

Sea Ice in the Arctic – Seasonal Variations

Sea Ice in the Arctic – Global Change

Global Cloud Data – Dynamic Atmosphere & Seasonal Weather Patterns

Global Cloud Data – Dynamic Atmosphere, Climate Literacy

Distribution Model • “Turn-key” process for regular updates of high-resolution content

Dissemination Network • Nationally and internationally distributed network of subscriber sites

Snapshots of Subscriber Sites The Wildlife Experience Science Museum of Minnesota

Fort Discovery St. Louis Science Center

Ongoing Formative Evaluation Global Cloud Data Vis Rockman, et. al Researchers Survey Statements (scale of 1 -5) A large number of viewers… were able to convey the fact that video conveyed information about things that influence our weather, the dynamic nature of our planet, and the constant movement of weather patterns over time. One respondent commented: “When I was watching this video show I felt like I was really in the weather. ” The captions in the program were helpful (3. 75) Additionally, evaluators found viewers “eager to express their desire to know more about what causes the weather patterns that they viewed in the video. This fact suggests that they will be interested in exploring the supporting displays and materials…. ” I could tell that I was watching real data collected from earth-orbiting satellites (3. 82) The video gave me a better sense of global weather patterns (3. 52) The video gave me a better sense of local weather patterns (3. 07) I was able to read all of the information presented on the screen (3. 91) I understood the information that was presented (4. 15) The video made me want to learn more about weather patterns (3. 52)

Periodic Summative Evaluation Evaluators and Subscriber Sites: Visitors to Museums and Science Centers: “Science Bulletins are an easy-to-use, multimedia exhibit that subscribers can employ in their own institutions and are appealing to visitors. ” - Rockman, et. al Researchers Found Bulletins “interesting and enjoyable. ” NASA GSFC: “… good presentation of NASA’s content in Earth and space science [with] much current information. ” JPL: “… help put context around what their individual researchers are doing…. Show a diversity of people doing fieldwork, which can be an important influence on the next generation. ” NCAR: “Because SB show ‘how research works, ’ they complement the work at the Center…. SB focus on science education and public literacy. ” “Felt that they would pursue their own learning of the related topic as a result of watching Science Bulletins. ” “Were likely to watch another Science Bulletin again. ” “Would recommend SB to others. ” Review by Educational Experts §“SB creates some of the best educational visualizations I have seen anywhere. ” “SB is one of the few sites that provides high quality current science content, and visually supported with animations and visuals. ” “It exemplifies what a Museum can do to support classroom learning. ”

Exploring extending Science Bulletins production capacity to Science on a Sphere

Production Formats • Flat Panel Display • Science on a Sphere • Dome

Stratospheric Ozone: Natural Variability

Stratospheric Ozone: Global Change

Global Cloud Data – Dynamic Atmosphere & Severe Weather

Global Cloud Data – Dynamic Atmosphere & Seasonal Weather Patterns