Recent advances in multimodal learning analytics show significant promise for addressing these challenges by combining multi-channel data streams from fully-instrumented exhibit spaces with multimodal machine learning techniques to model patterns in visitor experience data. We describe initial work on the creation of a multimodal learning analytics framework for investigating visitor engagement with a game-based interactive surface exhibit for science museums called Future Worlds.
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TEAM MEMBERS:
Jonathan RoweWookhee MinSeung LeeBradford MottJames Lester
resourceresearchMuseum and Science Center Exhibits
Multimodal models often utilize video data to capture learner behavior, but video cameras are not always feasible, or even desirable, to use in museums. To address this issue while still harnessing the predictive capacities of multimodal models, we investigate adversarial discriminative domain adaptation for generating modality-invariant representations of both unimodal and multimodal data captured from museum visitors as they engage with interactive science museum exhibits.
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TEAM MEMBERS:
Nathan HendersonWookhee MinAndrew EmersonJonathan RoweSeung LeeJames MinogueJames Lester
resourceresearchMuseum and Science Center Exhibits
Recent years have seen a growing interest in investigating visitor engagement in science museums with multimodal learning analytics. Visitor engagement is a multidimensional process that unfolds temporally over the course of a museum visit. In this paper, we introduce a multimodal trajectory analysis framework for modeling visitor engagement with an interactive science exhibit for environmental sustainability.
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TEAM MEMBERS:
Andrew EmersonNathan HendersonWookhee MinJonathan RoweJames MinogueJames Lester
resourceresearchMuseum and Science Center Exhibits
In this paper, we introduce a Bayesian hierarchical modeling framework for predicting learner engagement with Future Worlds, a tabletop science exhibit for environmental sustainability.
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TEAM MEMBERS:
Andrew EmersonNathan HendersonJonathan RoweWookhee MinSeung LeeJames MinogueJames Lester
resourceevaluationMuseum and Science Center Exhibits
This document presents the final evaluation report for the NSF-funded AISL project: "Multimodal Visitor Analytics: Investigating Naturalistic Engagement with Interactive Tabletop Science Exhibits."
In this paper, we investigate bias detection and mitigation techniques to address issues of
algorithmic fairness in multimodal models of museum visitor visual attention.
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TEAM MEMBERS:
Halim AcostaNathan HendersonJonathan RoweWookhee MinJames MinogueJames Lester
resourceresearchMuseum and Science Center Exhibits
This project will use a complex systems approach to hazard reduction across multiple scales of risk by developing a new generation of socio-technical digital twin that integrates models of physical infrastructure systems and virtual networks of communication with social games to engage community awareness and commitment to collective action.
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TEAM MEMBERS:
Kenichi SogaLouise ComfortStephen CollierMichael GollnerJ. Keith Gilless
This NOVA multiplatform media initiative consisted of a 2-hour nationally broadcast PBS documentary, Polar Extremes; a 10-part original digital series, Antarctic Extremes; an interactive game, Polar Lab; accompanying polar-themed digital shorts, radio stories, text reporting, and social media content; a collection of educational resources on PBS LearningMedia; and community screening events and virtual field trips for science classrooms. Across multiple media platforms the project’s video content had nearly 13 million views.
The research explored the potential for informal STEM learning
With the acceleration and increasing complexity of macro-scale problems such as climate change, the need for scientists to ensure that their work is understood has become urgent. As citizens and recipients of public funds for research, scientists have an obligation to communicate their findings in ways many people can understand. However, developing translations that are broadly accessible without being “dumbed down” can be challenging. Fortunately, tenets of visual literacy, combined with narrative methods, can help to convey scientific knowledge with fidelity, while sustaining viewers’
Glaciers around the world are undergoing dramatic changes. Many people, however, have a limited understanding of the scope of these changes because they are geographically distant and difficult to visualize. Although both digital learning tools and online scientific data repositories have greatly expanded over the last decade, there is currently no interface that brings the two together in a way that allows the public to explore these rapidly changing glacial environments. Therefore, to both improve public understanding and provide greater access to already existing resources, the project team will develop the Virtual Ice Explorer to encourage informal learning about glacial environments. This web application will feature an immersive virtual environment and display a suite of environmental data for an array of Earth's glacial systems. An interactive globe will allow users to select from a collection of sites ranging from polar regions to tropical latitudes. Each featured site will offer users an opportunity to interact with (1) a 3D rendering of the landscape; (2) a local map of the site; (3) historical and contemporary photographs of the site; (4) background information text describing the location, past research, and climate impacts; and (5) available environmental data. One of the most original features of the application will be its realistic, immersive 3D rendering of glacial landscapes by combining very high-resolution digital elevation models and satellite imagery with the application's built-in capabilities for immersive virtual environments. Although immersive environments often require expensive equipment, we are maximizing accessibility by developing the Virtual Ice Explorer to run in a web browser and function across various devices. Thus, the application will be available to anyone with internet access, and they can explore at their own pace.
As part of the successful development of Virtual Ice Explorer, the project team will create a platform for digital elevation models to be visualized and explored in 3D by users within the web application; curate digital elevation models, maps, images, text, and environmental data for inclusion in the web application for up to 11 geographically diverse glaciers/glacial landscapes; iteratively user-test the web application with project partners; and design the architecture of the system to readily scale to a larger collection of glaciers/glacial landscapes. To extend dissemination of the final products, the team has partnered with the U.S. Geologic Survey to showcase four benchmark glaciers in their long-term Glaciers and Climate project. In addition to improving understanding of glacier systems in informal learning environments, the project team will explore applications for spatial learning, employment of 3D environments for educational interventions, and use of Virtual Ice Explorer in formal learning environments. This project is funded by the Advancing Informal STEM Learning (AISL) program, which seeks to advance new approaches to, and evidence-based understanding of, the design and development of STEM learning in informal environments. This includes providing multiple pathways for broadening access to and engagement in STEM learning experiences, advancing innovative research on and assessment of STEM learning in informal environments, and developing understandings of deeper learning by participants. The project also has support from the Office of Polar Programs.
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TEAM MEMBERS:
Jason CervenecJesse FoxJulien Nicolas