Connecting Undergraduate Research with the Public through Innovative Technologies

该项目通过种植水培食品、使用数据蛋收集空气质量数据以及使用触摸箔技术，将地球与环境科学系的核心课程科学课程“未来立法者的科学”与公众联系起来。项目团队与当地企业和图书馆合作，在窗户上贴上触摸箔，让公众了解空气质量数据、土地覆盖使用的影响和空气质量的变化。触摸箔是一种可以放置在任何玻璃表面上的薄膜，例如店面的窗户，它可以将窗户转变为一个大型的交互式触摸表面（本质上是将一个巨大的iPad的窗户转变为一个大型的触摸表面）。使用这种游击式的科学方法为普通公众提供了在他们不希望看到科学的地方学习科学的机会。其目标是提供公众可以理解和感兴趣的科学数据和分析，而不需要去博物馆或类似的机构，而是在一个公众经常散步、参观或消磨时间的地方。该项目还让非科学专业的学生参与水培种植，并学习如何进行科学研究，以调查最大化产量的过程。这些农产品在当地市场出售，以帮助维持该计划，并帮助社区获得新鲜、健康和当地的食物。

The project connects a core curriculum science course taught in the Earth and Environmental Science department entitled, Science for Future Legislators, with the public through the growing of hydroponic food, air quality data collection using data eggs, and the use of touch foil technologies. Partnering with local businesses and libraries, the project team places touch foils on windows to engage the general public in understanding air quality data and the impact of land cover use and changes in air quality. A touch foil is a thin film that can be placed on any glass surface, for example a storefront window, which transforms that window into a large interactive touch surface (in essence transforming the window in a giant iPad). Using this guerilla science approach affords the general public the opportunity to learn about science in places where they would not expect to see science. The goal is to provide access to scientific data and analyses that are understandable and of interest to the general public in a way that does not require a visit to a museum or similar institution but in a place where the public takes a regular walk, visits, or spends their time. The project also engages non-science majors in growing produce hydroponically and learning how to conduct scientific research to investigate processes that maximize production. The produce is sold at a local market to help sustain the program and to help the community have access to fresh, healthy, and local food.