Exploring the Universe from Antarctica

该项目的目标是通过使用虚拟和增强现实技术的新型互动学习展示，促进极地研究中的非正式STEM教育。一种新的显示系统将结合成功的触摸式桌面显示技术和新的低成本头戴式显示技术，为位于南极的冰立方中微子探测系统提供身临其境的3D学习体验。该系统将为公众了解冰立方中微子探测系统和南极研究的挑战提供新的途径。该提案依赖于威斯康星大学麦迪逊分校的三个小组之间的合作，包括生活环境实验室（LEL），威斯康星冰立方粒子天体物理中心（WIPAC）和游戏学习协会（GLS）。一旦开发完成，该展示系统将安装在威斯康辛学院探索中心，这是一个每年吸引近5万人的公共空间。该提案是作为探索性途径提案提交的，这意味着它代表了为未来研究、设计和开发创新或方法奠定基础的机会。这个项目的结果将告诉项目负责人如何最好地扩展这个系统，为南极洲的其他研究地点增加更多的3D环境。该系统将以一种可扩展的方式实现，这样用户就可以从系统的主菜单中选择几个南极研究站位置中的一个，而不仅仅是冰立方，然后突然沉浸在一个3D世界中，该世界旨在向用户介绍该位置的极地研究。交互式学习展示的内容将被翻译成西班牙语，用户可以选择他们想要使用的语言。对该系统的评估还将告知设计师，这些博物馆类型的系统如何影响公众的学习成果。该项目已提交给推进非正式STEM学习（AISL）计划，但将由极地计划部资助。AISL旨在推进非正式环境中STEM学习的设计和开发的新方法和基于证据的理解。这包括提供多种途径，扩大STEM学习经验的获取和参与，推进非正式环境中STEM学习的创新研究和评估，以及发展参与者对深度学习的理解。

The goal of this project is to promote informal STEM education in polar research through a novel interactive learning display that uses virtual and augmented reality technology. A new display system will be developed that combines the successful techniques of touch-enabled tabletop displays with new low-cost, head-mounted display technology to deliver an immersive 3D learning experience for the IceCube Neutrino Detection system located at the South Pole. The system will provide new means for engaging the public in learning about the IceCube Neutrino Dectection system and the challenges of Antarctic research. The proposal relies on collaboration between three groups on the University of Wisconsin- Madison campus, including the Living Environments Laboratory (LEL), the Wisconsin IceCube Particle Astrophysics Center (WIPAC), and the Games Learning Society (GLS). Once developed, the display system will be installed at the Wisconsin Institutes for Discovery Town Center, a public space that attracts close to 50,000 people per year. This proposal was submitted as an Exploratory Pathways proposal, meaning that it represents a chance to establish the basis for future research, design, and development of innovations or approaches. Outcomes from this project will inform the PIs of how best to extend the system to add more 3D environments for other research locations in Antarctica. The system will be implemented in an extensible fashion so that a user can select from one of several Antarctic research station locations, not just IceCube, from the main menu of the system and suddenly be immersed in a 3D world that seeks to teach users about polar research at that location. Contents of the interactive learning display will be translated into Spanish, and users will be able to choose which language they want to use. Evaluations of the system will also inform designers about how these museum-type systems impact learning outcomes for the general public.This project was submitted to the Advancing Informal STEM Learning (AISL) program, but will be funded by the Division of Polar Programs. AISL seeks to advance new approaches to, and evidence-based understanding of, the design and development of STEM learning in informal environments. This includes providing multiple pathways for broadening access to and engagement in STEM learning experiences, advancing innovative research on and assessment of STEM learning in informal environments, and developing understandings of deeper learning by participants.