science-on-a-sphere® at the science museum of minnesota noaa sos users’ group meeting january...
TRANSCRIPT
Science-on-a-Sphere®
at the Science Museum of Minnesota
NOAA SOS Users’ Group Meeting
January 22-24, 2007
Overview of SMM SOS Setup
Timeline
January 9-11 2006 – NOAA and SMM staff install SOS in temporary exhibition hall.
April 2, 2006 – SMM closes SOS to make way for installation of Body Worlds exhibition.
April 24, 2006 – SMM begins reinstallation of SOS in new long-term exhibition space.
May 4, 2005 – SOS reopens to the public.
Overview of SMM SOS Setup
Autorun Playlist
IN OUR SOLAR NEIGHBORHOOD (15 minutes).
The SunVenusDay and Night on EarthEarth’s MoonMarsJupiterIo--moon of JupiterEuropa--moon of Jupiter
Overview of SMM SOS Setup
Autorun Playlist
EARTH, THE WATER PLANET (25 minutes)
NASA’s Blue MarbleEarth’s TopographyDay and Night on EarthThrough the SeasonsEl Niño and La NiñaHurricanes Katrina and RitaReal-time WeatherEarth at Night
Overview of SMM SOS Setup
Autorun Playlist
EARTH-SURFACE DYNAMICS (15 minutes)
Earth’s TopographyEarth’s MoonMarsTitan, Moon of SaturnHurricane KatrinaThrough the SeasonsGlobal RiversSediment ThicknessGlobal DamsEarth at Night
Unique Aspects of SMM SOS Setup
Technical
NASA’s “Footprints” programmed to start automatically at the top of every hour
Unique Aspects of SMM SOS Setup
Technical
Graphic slides synchronized with visualizations
Unique Aspects of SMM SOS Setup
Technical
Audio feedback system that regulates speaker volumes according to ambient noise
Unique Aspects of SMM SOS Setup
Technical
Double projector tower with filtered ventilation
Unique Aspects of SMM SOS Setup
Technical
Stand-alone visualization rendering farm
Unique Aspects of SMM SOS Setup
Technical
Tour SOS as part of the 5,000 square-foot Water Planet traveling exhibition that opens at the Science Museum of Minnesota in fall 2008 and begins touring in spring 2009.
Unique Aspects of SMM SOS Setup
Programmatic
Partnership with the National Center for Earth-surface Dynamics
Unique Aspects of SMM SOS Setup
Programmatic
Undergraduate classes
Unique Aspects of SMM SOS Setup
Programmatic
Undergraduate classes
St. Olaf College, January 19, 2007University of St. Thomas, January 18, 2007Augsburg College, December 7, 2006College of St. Catherine, November 27 & 29, 2006University of St. Thomas, November 8, 2006University of Wisconsin, Eau Claire, May 10, 2006University of St. Thomas, February 21 & 23, 2006
Unique Aspects of SMM SOS Setup
Programmatic
Undergraduate internship program
Macalester College
University of St. Thomas
College of St. Catherine
Minneapolis College of Art and Design
Evaluation and Assessment
Science-on-a-Sphere, February 2006 (n=81)
Median Time Minimum Time Maximum Time
3 min. 16 sec. 14 min., 4 sec.
Science-on-a-Sphere, May 2006 (n=50):
Median Time Minimum Time Maximum Time
Sat down (n=30) 5 min., 54 sec. 51 sec. 30 min., 17 sec.Didn’t sit (n=20) 2 min., 12 sec. 30 sec. 7 min., 30 sec.
Evaluation and Assessment
Science-on-a-Sphere, May 2006 (n=50)
Behavior Percent of VisitorsRead label 82%Talked about content on SOS 72%Pointed at SOS 62%Sat down 60%Read label out loud 24%Talked about technology of SOS 22%Pointed to label 20%
Evaluation and Assessment
Science-on-a-Sphere, May 2006 (n=50)
Percent of VisitorsStood in one place 26%Circled less than half 26%Circled half or more 12%Circled entire sphere 36%
Evaluation and Assessment
Science-on-a-Sphere, May 2006 (n=50)
Percent of VisitorsI was so interested I’d come see it again. 72%I was interested, but I wouldn’t come see it again. 22%I wasn’t really interested. 6%I didn’t find this interesting at all. 0%
Evaluation and Assessment
Science-on-a-Sphere, May 2006 (n=50):
Median Time Minimum Time Maximum Time
Sat down (n=30) 5 min., 54 sec. 51 sec. 30 min., 17 sec.Didn’t sit (n=20) 2 min., 12 sec. 30 sec. 7 min., 30 sec.
Footprints, January 2007 (n=73):
Median Time Minimum Time Maximum Time
Sat down (n=34) 6 min., 37 sec. 30 sec. 22 min., 9 sec.Didn’t sit (n=39) 40 sec. 7 sec. 8 min., 58 sec.
Evaluation and Assessment
NASA’s “Footprints” program
27% of visitors viewed the entire movie. The most common reason visitors did not stay until the end was because of other members of their group (most often kids).
None of the visitors who watched the entire movie felt that it was too long. Most felt the length was just right (11 out of 14).
98% of visitors enjoyed Footprints, with 56% enjoying it so much they would encourage other to see it.
When asked what Footprints was about, 54% of visitors said it was about the solar system.
Evaluation and Assessment
Undergraduate Classes
College students felt their museum visit to use SOS was of high value (average rating of 8 on a 10 point scale for two classes, rating of 9 for one class).
Most students (79% - 90% depending on the class) felt SOS helped them better grasp course topics.
Most frequently mentioned student suggestions to improve SOS experience are more time viewing the Sphere and more discussions of what they were viewing.
Desired SOS Improvements/Additions
Graphical User Interface to make it easier for general SOS operators to build playlists.
Have the option to link playlists to a clock. Better documentation, especially when it comes to disaster recovery and program re-installation.
SMM SOS Contact InformationPatrick Hamilton Bette SchmitWater Planet project director Water Planet lead exhibit developer651-221-4761 [email protected] [email protected]
Russ Durkee Dan DahmScience-on-a-Sphere® prototyper Water Planet production manager651-221-9476 [email protected] [email protected]
Amy Grack NelsonScience-on-a-Sphere® [email protected]