1) Describe at least three different presentation techniques (that is, three different types of media) used to explain their information? Do you think each was effective? If so, explain; if not, also explain?
There were cartoons to show the progression of technology in relation to anxiety. Physical models were used to show what technology looked like through the years. Interactive exhibits to keep the audience engaged. These methods seemed pretty effective and you could tell by all the age groups present and learning in different ways.
2) Some of what is presented has to do with the environmental issues of cellphone technology. What does the exhibit have to say about the materials used to create these tools? What does it have to say about the environmental impact of the creation, use, and disposal of cellphones? And how does it tell these stories?
Making a phone uses more elements than what's found in the human body (65 vs 24 elements). If you throw out phones, hazardous stuff in landfills or burned into the air (E waste). Phones have rate metals that should be recycled or reused in new phones. You can trade it in or recycle it with an actual E-waste handler. Tells stories through interactive texts which you can respond to.
3) The exhibit also talks about the technological and social impacts of cellphones. Discuss one (1) technological and two (2) social impacts of these tools that was presented in the exhibit, and how the museum staff chose to convey this information.
There were large displays that informed about technological bias and inclusivity. There was also the topic of perception vs reality: social media shows forms of people that aren't true and realistic. They also noted the use of technology to bring awareness to current and ongoing social problems in the world (sharing violent videos).
4) Find three (3) different topics discussed in this section. Identify what those topics are; how humans have influenced them (or simply how they have changed) through time; and what means the exhibit designers used to portray these changes (be specific).
a. Evolution: adapted and changed characteristics to better survive in the environment placed in. Evolved into humans and gathered more intellect by making use of a wider variety of resources. Ancestral trees and diagrams to show physical changes were used in the exhibit. They have monitors to show FAQs and a place for people to ask their own questions
b. New Tools, New Foods: started by using rocks and things like oil palm nuts. This later changed so that they sharpened tools to expand to cutting and hunting. The control of fire allowed them to make changes and incorporate cooking which influenced their lifestyle and diet as they were able to get more nutrients and eliminate some of the poisons that come with eating raw foods.
c. Social life: the use of fires also helped bring people together as they gathered around campfires. They also started building shelters which brought people together. Started forming their own identities and interacted with other groups of different identities. The trade routes allowed them to develop relations.
5) Some critics of the hall state that this exhibit de-emphasizes the human impact on the environment and climate. Do you agree? If so, explain why. If not, explain why not.
I do agree that it does since it shows only progress in a positive light and not all the tragedies that have occurred over time. It also doesn't show their atrocities and such.
6)Find the interactive video stations under the label "The Changing Ocean". Watch two (2) of the different videos available (preferably one dealing with biological oceanography and one dealing with some other issue.) Give the name of the videos. Summarize the data each provides. Do you consider this data to be understandable by a general visitor to the museum? If not, explain why.
a. How many horseshoe crabs: go out during full moons and high tides; survey the number of horseshoe crabs Male and female. Data was collected from New Jersey down to Delaware. Used to see how many horseshoe crabs were present.
b. Fuel for the storm: correct wind conditions cause storms to become hurricanes, heat energy contributes to stronger hurricanes. Satellite data shows heat and energy transfer (leaves cool water behind). Use satellites to forecast the intensity of a storm. Warming ocean temps cause the worst storms.
7) "Global Ocean Video": This information is provided on the "Science on the Sphere" format: a globe-shaped video screen. Watch through an entire sequence. What subjects does it discuss? What information did it provide? How was the spherical video used to portray this information? Do you consider this format to be useful? Explain why or why not.
It shows carbon emissions and CO2 levels throughout the years, soaring in the 1950s. The increase is changing the climate and ocean. Data from ships indicate ocean is becoming acidic causing shells to disintegrate esp in creatures at the bottom of the ocean, causing problems in the food web. The globe shows temp changes in specific areas. Show ocean and wind patterns. Shows how land masses are changing and the decrease in ice.
8) Paleoenvironmental Dioramas: Scattered throughout the hall are a set of pylons which feature miniature reconstructions of life and environments at different points in geologic time. In each is a diorama with scale models of fossil plants and animals, accompanied by additional information. Find two (2) of these pylons. For each, describe what time is represented; what place is represented; and how the carbon dioxide level, temperatures, and sea level compared to modern times. Also, do you think these exhibits are effective? Explain.
a. Time: 66 - 50 million years ago in the Cenozoic period. Shows Wyoming in a world with dense rainforests. The CO2 was up to 5x higher than today, the average global temperature was 14-25oF higher than the present day, and the global sea level was about 650-720ft higher.
b. Time: 24 to 16 million years ago in the Cenozoic period. Depicts Nebraska and CO2 levels were up to 50% higher than present day, average global temperature was 5-12oF higher, and global sea level was about 330 ft higher.
9) Climate Change Exhibits: Along the low wall and benches opposite from the main set of skeletons in the great hall are a series of exhibits describing climate changes past and present. Find some of these. Describe what time or aspect of Earth's history and past climate is discussed. What sort of data were used to figure out the past climate? Do these exhibits effectively explain how fossil and geological information can inform us about current or future climate change? Explain
The time shown dates back 500 million years and depicts CO2 levels and what fossils were found in different geological locations. This was explained through timelines and diagrams, along with pictures of each period.