McWane Science CenterMcWane Science CenterScience on a Sphere projectScience on a Sphere project

February 2007February 2007

Greg ChristensonGreg Christenson

Exhibits Technical DirectorExhibits Technical Director

Lawrence CooperLawrence Cooper

Education ManagerEducation Manager

Installation TimelineInstallation Timeline

Currently in final production phaseCurrently in final production phase Walls, painting, infrastructure Walls, painting, infrastructure

completion Feb. 2completion Feb. 2ndnd 2007 2007 NOAA team arrives Feb. 5NOAA team arrives Feb. 5thth for for

installationinstallation Opening preview party Feb. 15Opening preview party Feb. 15thth

20072007 Opens to public February 17Opens to public February 17thth 2007 2007

Content DeliveryContent Delivery

Current plans include a mix of Current plans include a mix of presenter led programs for both presenter led programs for both public and school groups.public and school groups.

Play lists with audio content for times Play lists with audio content for times between programs.between programs.

SoS Programming TopicsSoS Programming Topics

Current plans are for a mix of Solar Current plans are for a mix of Solar System and Earth Science programs.System and Earth Science programs.• School Programs designed using the School Programs designed using the

Alabama Course of Study for Science Alabama Course of Study for Science (ACOSS) Standards.(ACOSS) Standards.

Journey to EarthJourney to Earth Our Place in SpaceOur Place in Space Active AtmosphereActive Atmosphere The Living PlanetThe Living Planet

ProgramsPrograms

• Public ProgramsPublic Programs Hurricane HuntersHurricane Hunters

• Where do they form and travel.Where do they form and travel. Earth and BeyondEarth and Beyond

• Solar system program.Solar system program. Journey to MarsJourney to Mars

• Mars geology and distinct features.Mars geology and distinct features. Impact EarthImpact Earth

• Human impact on our planet.Human impact on our planet.

Unique Aspects Unique Aspects

Upgraded audio system using JBL Upgraded audio system using JBL speakers and separate equalization speakers and separate equalization for microphone and computer inputs.for microphone and computer inputs.

Screen Goo high contrast paintScreen Goo high contrast paint

Using “Digital Grey” paint for sphere to Using “Digital Grey” paint for sphere to improve contrast in medium ambient light improve contrast in medium ambient light installation area.installation area.

208/220 V Computer Power208/220 V Computer Power 20A Circuit power capacity of 3600 watts20A Circuit power capacity of 3600 watts Six Dell workstations connected to a single Six Dell workstations connected to a single

battery backup exceed the 1920 Volt-Amp UL battery backup exceed the 1920 Volt-Amp UL rating of a single 120 volt 20 amp standard circuit rating of a single 120 volt 20 amp standard circuit requiring multiple circuits.requiring multiple circuits.

Less current draw at 208v therefore components Less current draw at 208v therefore components run cooler reducing long-term risks of failure.run cooler reducing long-term risks of failure.

L6-20R twistlock receptacles reduce the chance accidental disconnection

DVI projector connectionDVI projector connection•Eiki LC-X60 projectors connected to computers with DVI using Gefen extenders

•Up to 200 feet (60 meters) over two CAT-5e cables at 1280x1024

•Full digital connection

Projector TowersProjector Towers Projector mounting Projector mounting

tower separate from tower separate from outer structureouter structure

Computers remote Computers remote mounted with DVImounted with DVI

AR glass windows to AR glass windows to protect projector lensprotect projector lens

SoS Installation AreaSoS Installation Area

Overview of SoS AreaOverview of SoS Area

Local PartnershipsLocal Partnerships Partnering with University of Alabama at Partnering with University of Alabama at

Birmingham (UAB) on evaluation and Birmingham (UAB) on evaluation and assessment.assessment.

EyeSight Foundation of Alabama and UAB EyeSight Foundation of Alabama and UAB Department of Ophthalmology for content Department of Ophthalmology for content creation.creation.

We are also hoping to expose a good number We are also hoping to expose a good number of underprivileged school systems to this new of underprivileged school systems to this new technology through access fund partnerships technology through access fund partnerships with Alabama Power and Honda. These will with Alabama Power and Honda. These will allow field trips to attend SoS programs.allow field trips to attend SoS programs.

Program EvaluationProgram Evaluation We plan to use Einstruction’s We plan to use Einstruction’s

Classroom Performance System for pre Classroom Performance System for pre and post testing for school groups and and post testing for school groups and summer camps.summer camps.

TouchPoll kiosks for general public TouchPoll kiosks for general public program evaluation.program evaluation.

We will have four specific programs We will have four specific programs that are age-group specific and each that are age-group specific and each program will have associated pre and program will have associated pre and post testing.post testing.

Helpful ImprovementsHelpful Improvements

Synchronized PowerPoint type slide Synchronized PowerPoint type slide show with additional information on show with additional information on the currently displayed visualization.the currently displayed visualization.

Closed captioning systemClosed captioning system Descriptive Video for people with low Descriptive Video for people with low

vision.vision.