S.O.S. @ NauticusS.O.S. @ Nauticus

Presented by:Presented by:

Peter LeightonPeter Leighton

Education SpecialistEducation Specialist

Setup and LocationSetup and Location

Currently, the sphere is in a “temporary” Currently, the sphere is in a “temporary” location.location.

We are in the process of constructing a We are in the process of constructing a dedicated theatre for the spherededicated theatre for the sphere

How We Use our SphereHow We Use our Sphere We run public sphere We run public sphere

programs every day at programs every day at 11:30, 1:30 and 3:30.11:30, 1:30 and 3:30.

All presentations are All presentations are run by one of our run by one of our educators.educators.

We do have a auto-run We do have a auto-run play list running play list running between showsbetween shows

We also show the We also show the “Footprints” movie “Footprints” movie between programs.between programs.

Staff Training ProceduresStaff Training Procedures We start with a detailed walk through of all We start with a detailed walk through of all

sphere systems.sphere systems. They are given a training packet with all the bare They are given a training packet with all the bare

bones information that they need to know.bones information that they need to know. The staff person then watches a show by an The staff person then watches a show by an

experienced presenter.experienced presenter. We give the educator a week to learn the basics We give the educator a week to learn the basics

from their training packet.from their training packet. They are then given a written test based on the They are then given a written test based on the

packet.packet. Finally, they are evaluated while doing a public Finally, they are evaluated while doing a public

program.program.

Our 4 “Food Groups” of ProgramsOur 4 “Food Groups” of Programs

I have divided the sphere curriculum I have divided the sphere curriculum into 4 separate groups; biology, into 4 separate groups; biology, geology, geography, and weather.geology, geography, and weather.

Each group has it’s own play list on Each group has it’s own play list on the main computer.the main computer.

There are also scripts that go along There are also scripts that go along with each group. These scripts with each group. These scripts contain facts about each data set contain facts about each data set found in the play list.found in the play list.

Our Unique Data SetsOur Unique Data Sets

Great white shark and Great white shark and sea turtle migration sea turtle migration routes.routes.

Real-time ocean Real-time ocean temperature and temperature and weather.weather.

Day-night terminator.Day-night terminator. GOES satellite location GOES satellite location

and coverage.and coverage. Real-time earthquake Real-time earthquake

activity. (7 day loop)activity. (7 day loop)

Guest Interaction/InterfacingGuest Interaction/Interfacing

During our public programs, guests During our public programs, guests can ask to see anything on the can ask to see anything on the sphere.sphere.

Between public programs, there are Between public programs, there are 5 data sets playing on auto run. We 5 data sets playing on auto run. We have signs as well as a plasma have signs as well as a plasma screen that show information which screen that show information which corresponds with each data set.corresponds with each data set.

PartnershipsPartnerships

NOAA. They provide exhibits, education NOAA. They provide exhibits, education resources and without them, we would not resources and without them, we would not have Science on a Sphere.have Science on a Sphere.

Hampton University. Their grad students Hampton University. Their grad students use our sphere to do programs for use our sphere to do programs for Portsmouth City Public Schools for grades Portsmouth City Public Schools for grades 6-8.6-8.

University of Wisconsin. Rick Kohrs is University of Wisconsin. Rick Kohrs is responsible for programming our custom responsible for programming our custom data sets for our sphere.data sets for our sphere.

School ProgramsSchool Programs

Part of the Norfolk Public Schools 6Part of the Norfolk Public Schools 6thth grade field grade field trip.(~6,000 students per year)trip.(~6,000 students per year)

Used for boy/girl scout weather badge workshops.Used for boy/girl scout weather badge workshops. Seen by almost every school group that visits Seen by almost every school group that visits

Nauticus.(~25,000 students per year)Nauticus.(~25,000 students per year)

What’s Next for our Sphere?What’s Next for our Sphere?

Fall of ’08, we will be building a Fall of ’08, we will be building a brand new theatre for our sphere.brand new theatre for our sphere.

We are also creating interactive We are also creating interactive tabletop science activities that go tabletop science activities that go along with the data sets we are along with the data sets we are presenting.presenting.