ISEN-ASTC-L is a service of the Association of Science-Technology Centers
Incorporated, a worldwide network of science museums and related institutions.
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The Orlando Science Center invites you to join us in a cross-disciplinary roundtable on the effects of electronic information technology on business practices, educational programs, and exhibits.

The schedule of sessions and other information appear below and have been updated on the web site (www.osc.org/RAP). Each session is scheduled with one or two "ice-breaker" presentations to set the stage for discussions. In keeping with the ASTC RAP philosophy, ample time will be allowed for interactive discussions. If you would like to present a case-study, please email your suggestion to Brian Tonner at [log in to unmask] A field trip to a virtual reality/augmented reality development lab, the Media Convergence Laboratory, is being arranged. A post-workshop trip to a dinner attraction is available.

Join us!

Brian Tonner
Orlando Science Center
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ASTC Roundtable
IT: The Next Generation
Electronic information technology in business, education and exhibits for the science center industry.
Friday February 20, 2004 and Saturday, February 21, 2004.

CONTACTS:
Program: Brian Tonner, [log in to unmask] <mailto:[log in to unmask]>
Registration Assistance: Janie Black, [log in to unmask]
 
Participants are invited to share case studies of projects that illustrate innovative uses of electronic technology for business, education and exhibits in the science and nature museum industry. Four sessions spanning two days are scheduled, with each session opening with "ice-breaker" presentations. In keeping with the ASTC RAP philosophy, ample time is planned for open discussion. 

Themes for discussion include Linux and the Open Source movement, electronic technology and educational products, and virtual and augmented reality in exhibits.

Attendees are invited to submit brief titles and descriptions of case studies in advance of the meeting.

 FRIDAY
Location: Orlando Science Center, 777 East Princeton, Orlando, FL

11-12 AM Registration
12-1 PM Lunch
1-4 PM The Linux and Open Source Movement: Is it ready for prime time?
5-6 PM Break, Cinedome feature presentation
6-9 PM Dinner Session, Observatory


SATURDAY
Location: Orlando Science Center

8-9 AM Breakfast
9-12 PM Electronic Information Technology and Educational Programs
1-2 PM Travel to Media Convergence Laboratory
2-5 PM Virtual and Augmented Reality and Exhibits, Tour of MCL

A post workshop dinner and group activity are being planned to a venue in the attractions area.

 
Session "Ice-breakers"

"Open Source: Can it Open Doors for the Science Center Industry?"
Jordan Jacobs, Vice President
I.D.E.A.L. Technology Corporation

I.D.E.A.L. Technology's sole business focus is Linux, a revolutionary, open source computer operating system that is relatively new in the marketplace. The company provides various business-to-business and consumer solutions incorporating the Linux Operating System and Open Source software. Fortune 100/500 organizations and the United States Government/Military have used  I.D.E.A.L. Technology's Linux and Open Source expertise on a recurring basis. 

Recently, Ideal Technology Corp.'s new Network Services Division in Orlando has received a multiyear contract for computer network design for the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers. Under the contract, Ideal will provide computer networking systems using 802.3 and 802.11 technologies. The IEEE will use the equipment to network its members during meetings held in the United States and abroad. 
 
"Xhibitnet: Integrating online virtual museums with real-world exhibits"
Dana Hutchins
Image Works
www.imagewks.com <http://www.imagewks.com/>

XhibitNet revolutionizes the way museum visitors interact with both on-site and on-line exhibits. XhibitNet allows visitors to personalize, collect, save, recall, annotate and share their observations, mementos, images, questions, responses and insights from both real world and virtual museum experiences.
 

"Melting the boundaries between imagination and Reality.
Expanding the experience frontiers for Informal Science Education with emerging Mixed Reality technology. "
Chris Stapleton
Director, Media Convergence Laboratory
 
"Virtual Laboratories for Electronic Exploration"
Dr. Berta Alfonso
NASA Learning Technologies Kennedy Space Center

 "Worldwind, Animated Earth, and other Projects"

Dr. Tom Gaskins
NASA Learning Technologies
Jet Propulsion Laboratory
 

"The Dr Phillips Open Physics Lab"
Dr. John Evans
Orlando Science Center
 

"Animated Cartoons and Basic Science"
Mark Rodriguez and Brandy Camps
WiredScience.org


"The Electronically Enhanced Exhibit Table"
JoAnn Newman
Orlando Science Center
This project is an attempt to blend the best of the world of keep-it-simple hands-on/minds-on exhibits in the Exploratorium mold, with a modern multi-media "electronic presenter." We'll talk about the design, prototyping, and ultimate implementation.

 

"A Scanning Electron Microscope Accessible through the Web"
Dr. Jeff Bindell
Florida High Technology Corridor Council
The OSC Scanning Electron Microscope is a modern instrument with complete control through a web-interface. The SEM installation, on the floor of a science center, includes multiple video cameras that display activity in the lab over the internet. Use of the facility for teacher training and distance field trips, as well as a novel distance research project, will be described.
 
"Dr Dare's Laboratory: A Digital Theatre for Interactive Modern Science"
JoAnn Newman
Orlando Science Center
Dr Dare's Laboratory (DDL) is a design for an augmented-reality exhibit system to present topical science content in the form of an adventure challenge. 

 

"BodyZone 3D: A simple theatre for scientific visualization of the human body"
Todd Kent and Brian Tonner
Orlando Science Center
High resolution, passive stereo projection is rapidly becoming cost-effective for enhancing an exhibit area with a small 15-25 seat theatre. Using the approach of the GeoWall and AstroWall projects, we are building BodyZone 3D, to display stereo imagery, static and dynamic, of human body cross-sections.
 


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