iSWOOP2.0 (2016)


Description

This year is the National Park Service centennial. In its second century what if its millions of visitors — families, seniors, college friends out to climb, fish, or gaze at stars — encounter science with a compelling story, scientists’ visualizations that complement the scenery, and an invitation to connect the science to their own lives? Park by park, iSWOOP plans to uncover the science and why it matters, with educators, scientists, park rangers, and visitors all in the conversation. It’s the iSWOOP way.

NSF Award: 1514776

Discussion

This discussion took place during the TERC Video Showcase Event Nov. 14-21, 2023. Discussion is now closed.
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Nickolay Hristov
Nickolay Hristov
November 14, 2023 9:52 am
Thank you for joining us to revisit iSWOOP. This was our second video entry for the project. There was so much confidence in the Team – we had visited all project sites, reformatted and deployed visualizations on different study systems, our updated professional development model for park interpreters was beginning to work in curious ways and our student-led film teams were expanding eager capabilities in new technologies and narrative styles. Watch our 2016 film and let us know if you have any questions or catch any interesting observations.
Brian Drayton
Brian Drayton
November 15, 2023 7:57 am
Such a lovely video!
I am curious if ISWOOP has changed the way the Park Service scientists. design or present their work?
Nickolay Hristov
Nickolay Hristov
November 15, 2023 10:51 pm
Reply to  Brian Drayton
Hi Brian! We would like to think so. Like park interpreters, academics don’t like to be told what to do, particularly when related to their craft. It is sensitive stuff. Co-designing slides and visual material was one entry point that we thought worked well and was well received and with lasting results. Years after iSWOOP is finished, I think about visual exposure, competency, proficiency, expertise, mastery and overall literacy. And what we (anyone?) can do with that stuff. What do you think?  
Martha Merson
Martha Merson
November 16, 2023 7:53 pm
Hi Brian,
Wow it’s been a while! Nice to see your name and thoughtful question here.
Every year there are about 3,000 scientists who do research in national parks. The scientists we did help were pretty keen to share ideas with others and did so on their own initiative at conferences like ESA. Since we can’t be everywhere, we documented our approach in an article for the Society for Integrative and Comparative Biology and for interpreters in Legacy Magazine. We are circulating some tips for park rangers to remind them that they can influence how scientists present their work.