In keeping with our goal of educating people of all ages, the Wrigley Institute is using the power of the world wide web to allow students to actively investigate their world. The term telepresence was coined to describe the transmission of live images and data from the natural environment to schools and homes using the world wide web. Cameras placed underwater capture images of Leopard Sharks, giant kelp forests surrounding Catalina, and other marine life.
Terrestrial cameras provide views of nesting bald eagles.
Images and data will be available to students in real-time giving them a chance to experience an environment they may never otherwise see. The telepresence effort has gained momentum through a series of events initiated by the Wrigley Institute. Teacher training programs that guide educators as they introduce telepresence to their classrooms. Incorporation of telepresence into the existing Sea Grant Island Explorers program. Collaboration with the School of Engineering that will lead to a link between robotic technology and web-cameras.