Emerging Technology and Learning Spaces

1. Out Reach Collaboration CIRA -NPS Emerging Technology and Learning Spaces Mission: Create a bridge between the scientific community and the general public through the distribution of educational training materials in an effort to foster awareness of air quality issues in remote areas and spark active participation in the care of our natural areas.

2. Out Reach Collaboration CIRA - NPS Since 1990, the National Park Service CIRA outreach group has been developing interpretive media to communicate air quality research and results to a diverse set of audiences.

3. Annual calendars are created to support the national research and monitoring effort, IMPROVE. As an outreach tool, the calendar provides information about the monitoring program and provides information about monitoring protocols, supplying operators with a reliable tool for meeting data collection and equipment requirements. As an educational tool, the calendar provides an opportunity to summarize current research efforts, present data results and applications of IMPROVE data, identify data collection problems, and review the current status of regulatory programs. IMPROVE CALENDAR Current and past calendars can be view at: http://vista.cira.colostate.edu/IMPROVE/Education/education.htm

4. Of the many challenges facing developers of visitor center exhibits, usability and engagement rank high. Our projects use a virtual environment to develop an understanding and awareness of air pollution and its effects on natural resources. Content chosen is relevant to local areas and makes extensive use of rich media (graphics, animation, and video). We currently have these types of exhibits running at Sequoia Kings Canyon National Park, the Oakland Museum of California, and Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Interactive Museum and NPS Visitor Displays

5. We are currently developing an interactive learning station for the Edwin B. Forsythe National Wildlife Refuge. The exhibit will describe the monitoring instruments and detail what pollutants are monitored, why we monitor them, what we know about current levels, and what the implications are for local ecosystems. We will connect to live visibility and ozone data for the refuge and describe how the data are applied to protect the environment and ecosystems of the refuge. Interpreting Air Quality Through Interactive Learning Stations

6. Web based video and audio podcasts are created to overview air pollution issues currently facing national parks. There are plans to add more content of this type in the coming years utilizing interviews with scientific experts and resource managers. Video and Audio Podcasts The podcast is available at http://www.nature.nps.gov/air/features/pod-cast/airpodcast.cfm

7. A web based multimedia program on the science of climate change was developed as an educational tool. and wildlife preserves. This program allows random exploration of a variety of topics. Participants learn about effects of climate change, concepts of radiation balance, climate feedback mechanisms, and other topics. Climate Change Outreach

8. The NPS CIRA outreach group also supports the NPS Fort Collins research offices and NPS ARD outreach group with a variety of graphic products including: Presentation graphics for meetings and technical publications Scientific illustrations Photography Poster creation Web graphics Brochures Presentation Graphics

9. Out Reach Collaboration -Summary Learning is a lifelong pursuit. Our goal is to work with researchers to make science more accessible to the general public. Outreach plays an important role in connecting scientific research, natural resources, and a diverse public in contexts that are that are relevant to their environments and social experiences. We are always searching for better and unique ways to reach more audiences.