CSDMS 2015 annual meeting poster IrinaOvereem
Bringing earth surface processes simulations to large audiences
Lauren Borkowski, University of Colorado, INSTAAR, CSDMS, Colorado, United States.
Albert Kettner, University of Colorado, INSTAAR, CSDMS, Colorado, United States.
Beth Russell, NOAA, Colorado, United States.
Hilary Peddicord, NOAA, Colorado, United States.
Abstract:
The Community Surface Dynamics Modeling System has a strong mandate to share state-of-the-art earth surface process modeling results with large audiences. One of the possible platforms to reach audiences much beyond the science community is through museum displays.
CSDMS has developed several model simulation datasets for the 'Science on a Sphere' system. 'Science on a Sphere' (SOS) consist of a large 4 ft diameter suspended globe on which global and regional simulations can be projected. SOS has been developed by NOAA and is now featured in over 100 locations worldwide, mostly in science museums and large research facilities. The SOS team at the Earth System Research Lab at NOAA estimates that >33 million people see these displays every year. In addition, the data catalogue features stand-alone downloadable movies and educational materials for teachers to use in their own class-rooms.
We contributed global simulations and datasets to the Science on a Sphere data catalogue. Examples include hydrological processes, coastal processes, and human interactions with the earth surface environment. Model simulations of a global hydrological and sediment transport model (WBM-SED) illustrate global river discharge patterns. WAVEWATCH III simulations have been specifically processed to show the impacts of hurricanes on ocean waves, with focus on hurricane Katrina and superstorm Sandy. A large world dataset of dams and reservoirs built over the last two centuries gives an impression of the profound influence of humans on water management.
Visualizations are developed with Python scripts and comply to well-published data submission protocols of NOAA, mostly the scripts are unique for each specific model dataset. Datasets story boards and teacher follow-up materials associated with the simulations are developed to address common core science standards. CSDMS contributions aim to familiarize large audiences with the use of coupled numerical modeling as a tool to create insight and understanding of environmental processes, and aim to explicitly educate about models as a predictive tool.
This presentations showcases CSDMS contributions to the Science on a Sphere data catalogue, shares insights on the workflow of getting simulations submitted to the SOS repository, and invites discussion and ideas from community members to develop new simulation datasets.
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