BUILDING A CONSORTIUM TO USE STEREO PROJECTION TECHNOLOGY IN SUPPORT OF EARTH SCIENCE CURRICULUM

In the past few years there has been a tremendous increase in the use of three-dimensional graphics in computer games. As a fortuitous consequence of this technical revolution, the cost of stereo projection systems has dropped to the point that the technology can now be used as a classroom educational tool.

A collaborative, interdisciplinary effort is underway to deploy stereo projection systems in geoscience departments at a number of research and educational institutions. A distinctive feature of this initiative is that the design of the projection systems at the participating institutions would be standardized, allowing materials developed by any one institution to be immediately adopted by all of the partner institutions and quickly adapted to their needs. Portable or "built-in" stereo projection systems will allow classes to view, manipulate and discuss interactive stereo projection images as a shared experience that can bridge the conceptual gap of interpreting 3-dimensional relationships from traditional 2-dimensional representations. These systems also allow students to interactively explore time-dependent visualizations of complex mathematical models that could not otherwise be integrated into the coursework.

The technology for these systems is proven, so the present critical lack is curriculum material that can take advantage of stereo projection. Fortunately, the technology's potential is exciting enough that projection systems can act as a catalyst to create new collaborations between researchers and educators that are truly interdisciplinary. Materials developed as a result of these collaborations and new technology have significant potential to transform the way that scientific data and models are presented and taught.

Currently, a dozen of these stereo projection systems are being assembled at institutions across the country, at a cost of less than $15,000 per wall. All curriculum, software and visualizations will be available for no cost, through a standard open source licensing agreement.