# Presentation: 409736

## Science Bulletins

- A model for sharing current scientific visualizations
- with Informal Science Institutions
- NOAA SoS Workshop  Jan 22 – 24, 2007

**Notes:**
Essentials of the model
 - program designed to engage general public audiences with authentic, current science in HD
 - visualized data are key to the program – communicate currency as well as reveal for public audiences the same phenomena – patterns, variations, interactions – that scientists observe to further their research

## 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)

**Notes:**
Science Bulletins is an updating, multimedia, current science program designed for exhibition spaces and the Web.
Produced in-house Collaboration between scientists, producers, educators, programmers, writers, etc.
Distributed nationally
Also working aggressively to create a Web-based Educational program that supports middle and high-school teachers use of the Science Bulletins Website in their classrooms.

## Current space, Earth, and life science 

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

**Notes:**
Great Outreach Vehicle because the range of scientific content that we address:
Space Science with the AstroBulletin
Earth Science with the Earth Bulletin
Life Sciences with the BioBulletin
Developed the production capacity required to bring high-resolution scientific images with annotation and interpretation to the public on a weekly basis (we distribute this high-definition media over the internet to our growing list of subscribers) – examples of recent weekly content distributed for each of the three content areas – 
Mars – it’s terrific to be able to take advantage of the wonderful distribution effort that JPL has undertaken to get information out to informal learning centers via these high-quality images.  We work with our scientists to add layers of information that allow the public to interpret these images the way that scientists do.
Dynamic earth events – volcanoes, eqs, extreme weather events
In the case of Bio – we send out a satellite image each week that illustrates change in the biosphere associated with human activity.  We produce these in close collaboration with the EOS group at Goddard Space Flight Center.

## Earth Science Data Visualization

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

**Notes:**
Another really exciting dimension of our outreach work via the Science Bulletins is in the area of Earth Science Data Visualization.  Remotely sensed global data sets have revolutionized our understanding of how the Earth works and the role the biosphere plays in the Earth system with its systematic collection of global remotely sensed data. 
We’ve worked closed with scientists here at the Museum, NASA, NOAA, etc. – primarily at Goddard Space Flight Center – also here in NY at Goddard GISS, at JPL and most recently NOAA CPC to develop visualizations of global and regional data sets that we bring to the public via the science bulletins
We use these data sets to convey the natural rhythms of the Dynamic Earth System, as well as to focus the public’s attention on the changing biosphere.
The high-resolution format of our program allows us to engage the public in examining the same data sets that scientists use to research dynamic earth processes, see the evidence of global change, and investigate the role of human activity in this dynamic system.

## Key Program Elements

- Production Model
- Distribution Model
- Dissemination Model
- Ongoing Evaluation

## Production Model

- In-house visualization capacity, ongoing access to data
- PhD 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*

**Snapshots of Subscriber Sites**

## Fort Discovery 

*Fort Discovery *

*St. Louis Science Center*

## Ongoing Formative Evaluation

**Global Cloud Data Vis**

**Rockman, et. al Researchers**
- 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.”**
- 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....”

**Survey Statements (scale of 1-5) **
- The captions in the program were helpful (3.75)
- 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 could tell that I was watching real data collected from earth-orbiting satellites (3.82)
- 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:**_
- “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
- 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.”

_**Visitors to Museums and Science Centers:**_
- Found Bulletins “interesting and enjoyable.”
- “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