HR: 14:10h
AN: ED53B-03    [Abstracts]
TI: Live Educational Outreach for Ocean Exploration: High-Bandwidth Ship-to-Shore Broadcasts Using Internet2
AU: * Coleman, D F
EM: dcoleman@gso.uri.edu
AF: University of Rhode Island Graduate School of Oceanography, South Ferry Road, Narragansett, RI 02882 United States
AU: * Coleman, D F
EM: dcoleman@gso.uri.edu
AF: Institute for Exploration, 55 Coogan Boulevard, Mystic, CT 06355 United States
AU: Ballard, R D
EM: rballard@ife.org
AF: University of Rhode Island Graduate School of Oceanography, South Ferry Road, Narragansett, RI 02882 United States
AU: Ballard, R D
EM: rballard@ife.org
AF: Institute for Exploration, 55 Coogan Boulevard, Mystic, CT 06355 United States
AB: During the past 3 field seasons, our group at the University of Rhode Island Graduate School of Oceanography, in partnership with the Institute for Exploration and a number of educational institutions, has conducted a series of ocean exploration expeditions with a significant focus on educational outreach through "telepresence" - utilizing live transmissions of video, audio, and data streams across the Internet and Internet2. Our educational partners include Immersion Presents, Boys and Girls Clubs of America, the Jason Foundation for Education, and the National Geographic Society, all who provided partial funding for the expeditions. The primary funding agency each year was NOAA's Office of Ocean Exploration and our outreach efforts were conducted in collaboration with them. During each expedition, remotely operated vehicle (ROV) systems were employed to examine interesting geological and archaeological sites on the seafloor. These expeditions include the investigation of ancient shipwrecks in the Black Sea in 2003, a survey of the Titanic shipwreck site in 2004, and a detailed sampling and mapping effort at the Lost City Hydrothermal Field in 2005. High-definition video cameras on the ROVs collected the footage that was then digitally encoded, IP-encapsulated, and streamed across a satellite link to a shore-based hub, where the streams were redistributed. During each expedition, live half-hour-long educational broadcasts were produced 4 times per day for 10 days. These shows were distributed using satellite and internet technologies to a variety of venues, including museums, aquariums, science centers, public schools, and universities. In addition to the live broadcasts, educational products were developed to enhance the learning experience. These include activity modules and curriculum-based material for teachers and informal educators. Each educational partner also maintained a web site that followed the expedition and provided additional background information to supplement the live feeds. This program continues to grow and has proven very effective at distributing interesting scientific content to a wide range of audiences.
DE: 0815 Informal education
DE: 0840 Evaluation and assessment
DE: 9820 Techniques applicable in three or more fields
SC: Education and Human Resources [ED]
MN: Fall Meeting 2005