'Science On a Sphere' Workshop Orbits into the Detroit Zoo

From the Detroit Zoological Society: The Detroit Zoological Society (DZS) and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) will co-host the 2017 international Science On a Sphere Users Collaborative Workshop April 25-27 at the Detroit Zoo. The gathering is held annually to provide an opportunity for members of the worldwide Science On a Sphere network to exchange ideas and collaborate on the system’s uses and enhancements.

“It is an honor to be the first-ever zoo selected to host this global workshop and to share how we engage the community with science by combining important environmental messages with technological advances,” said Ron Kagan, DZS executive director and CEO.

The workshop, titled “Pole to Pole: Connecting People, Places, Animals and Spaces”, will explore the ways data visualization tools such as Science On a Sphere can be used to educate audiences of all ages about animals and habitats and the changes that are happening in the environment.

Originally developed by NOAA as an educational tool to study environmental data, Science On a Sphere uses computers and video projectors to display images onto a 6-foot hologram-like globe. The presentations include short films about animals and ecosystems as well as animated images of Earth’s activities such as atmospheric storms, climate change and ocean temperature.

“Science On a Sphere at the Detroit Zoo seems to have its own field of gravity the way it pulls our guests in,” Kagan said. “It’s a powerful tool that motivates learning in a fun way – as if one were an astronaut observing Earth from outer space.”

The Detroit Zoo was the second zoo in the country to install Science On a Sphere as a permanent attraction in 2011. The system is located in the Wildlife Interpretive Gallery. There are currently 136 Science On a Sphere sites worldwide.

The Detroit Zoological Society – a renowned leader in education, conservation, animal welfare and sustainability – operates the Detroit Zoo and Belle Isle Nature Center. In recognition of its environmental leadership, the DZS received the top Green Award from the Association of Zoos & Aquariums (AZA) and was named Best-Managed Nonprofit by Crain’s Detroit Business. The AZA also recognized the DZS with the International Conservation Award for its work rescuing orphaned Grauer’s gorillas in the Democratic Republic of Congo. With an annual regional economic impact of more than $100 million, the Detroit Zoo in Royal Oak is one of Michigan’s largest paid family attractions, hosting more than 1.6 million visitors annually. Its 125 acres of award-winning naturalistic habitats are home to 2,400 animals representing 255 species. The Belle Isle Nature Center sits on a 5-acre site surrounded by undisturbed forested wetlands on Belle Isle State Park in Detroit. It provides year-round educational, recreational and environmental conservation opportunities for the community. For hours, prices, directions and other information, call (248) 541-5717 or visit detroitzoo.org.

Images via the Detroit Zoological Society