The aquarium of the pacific (aquarium) proposes our instrumented earth: understanding global systems and local impacts through the EI nino story. This program centers on a new production displayed…

The aquarium of the pacific (aquarium) proposes our instrumented earth: understanding global systems and local impacts through the EI nino story. This program centers on a new production displayed on science on a sphere (SOS), and includes formal and informal educational program elements to help inspire citizens to embrace the contributions and benefits of NASA missions. The aquarium and its partners, the oregon museum of science and industry (omsi) and goddard family visitor center (goddard), draw upon the expertise of NASA (and JPL upon award) and other scientists and experts to help develop and implement the EI nino story as depicted by earth observing systems (EOS). The project focuses on NASA-identified issues of climate change and monitoring environmental hazards to engage the audience in the power and purpose of earth information and data-gathering tools to inform US about, and forecast, earth systems events. Audiences include over two million visitors to the partner institutions; urban and rural constituencies that rank among the most diverse in the nation. The project also targets underserved youth to promote stem learning and increase interest in stem careers through experiences outside the classroom, in an informal setting. To reach those students, teachers will be offered a professional development workshop (with stipend) in which they can role playas scientists gathering and analyzing data from the various monitoring instruments, and learn how the SOS exhibit works; these will be new tools they can utilize to engage their students. Rural oregon libraries reach 7,000 people each year, and will have access to the SOS program translated onto a small transportable globe display called the magic planet. The project uses partnerships and collaborations with experts to create scientific content and an accessible set of project deliverables for diverse audiences. Advanced technical information is humanized through showing local EI nino events (SOS production), and through direct contact with scientists working on NASA-funded research (NASA night). A planned four-pronged approach will reach learners with the missions of NASA and the importance of science knowledge now and in the future: (1) engage audiences with the SOS production, in which large moving images of earth systems are projected onto a room-sized globe, and local impacts (and BI-lingual subtitles) are shown on fiat screen displays above IT; (2) reach teachers from underserved schools with the professional development workshops; (3) involve teachers, students and families in a special informal education event called NASA night at the aquarium, where scientists are available to talk about stem education, careers, and value; and (4) maintain interest through related follow-on activities accessible on the web, via mobile applications, and by touring the magic planet version. The project deliverables include: -SOS program for aquarium, omsi and goddard -SOS program adapted to magic planet platform for oregon underserved rural communities -professional development workshops for teachers at title i (underprivileged) schools in urban underserved communities -NASA night, an informal education event at the aquarium, bringing scientists and citizens together -a post-visit web-based interactive quiz about the SOS program and NASA objectives, with links to mynasa -addition of LCD fiat screen exhibit monitors in the omsi SOS gallery our instrumented earth: understanding global systems and local impacts through the EI nino story celebrates NASA advances in technology and illuminates how information can be harnessed to increase understanding of earth systems, enhance human lives, and protect the planet.