Using Scientific Visualizations

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Using Scientific Visualizations

• Rachel Connolly
• www.iserga.org

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What is a scientific visualization?

• Presentation of scientific data in a visual
  format that makes large amounts of data available
  in an easy to view format.

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Why use visualizations?

• Takes you to places and times not possible in a
  picture or textbook, brings the science to life.
• Allows for another way to present science to
  students (multiple intelligences).
• Students are increasingly comfortable with visual
  input.
• Based on scientific data, emphasizes use of
  evidence.
• Increases spatial ability in students, which
  yields greater learning in science class
  (Pallrand and Seeber, 1984).

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How to use viz

• Presence of technology ? learning
• Incorporate with inquiry foster questioning and
  discussion, have students explain to you what
  they understood from the visualization.
• Gather written questions from your students that
  were sparked by the visualization.

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Some sources of visualizations

• NASA visualization studio
• svs.gsfc.nasa.gov/Gallery/index.html
• AMNH Science Bulletins
• http//sciencebulletins.amnh.org
• NSDL National Science Digital Library
• http//www.nsdl.org
• DLESE Digital Library for Earth System Education
• http//www.dlese.org

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A case study in Earth Science

• Arctic Ice 1997 - 2004
• http//sciencebulletins.amnh.org/earth/v/seaice05.
  20050728/
• CO2 emissions
• http//sciencebulletins.amnh.org/earth/v/co.200410
  01/
• Together, these visualizations present clues and
  evidence regarding climate change. Have students
  look for patterns in the visualizations and then
  find a current news story that mentions these
  factors in climate change.

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A Case Study in Astronomy

• New Horizons
• http.//sciencebulletins.amnh.org/astro/v/pluto.20
  060216/
• Have a debate around the question, Is Pluto a
  planet?
• How old will students be when New Horizons
  reaches Pluto?
• Nearby Stars
• http.//sciencebulletins.amnh.org/astro/v/nearby.2
  0050430/
• Determine your cosmic address.
• Have students explore the question, If humans
  cant physically travel far from the Earth, then
  how do we learn about the universe?

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A Case Study in Physical Science

• Infrared Photo Album
• http//spaceplace.nasa.gov/en/kids/sirtif1/sirtf_a
  ction.shtml
• A good example of an experiment with a scientific
  tool that they would not be able to do in the
  classroom.

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Thank you!

• National Center for Science Literacy Education
  and Technology
• NASAs Space Place
• Dr. Rosamond Kinzler
• Meghan Groome
• Presentation available at
• http//www.iserga.org