SHIP TO SHORE SCIENCE EDUCATION: USING GIGAPIXEL IMAGERY WITHIN OPENLAYERS FOR VIRTUAL EXPLORATION OF SEDIMENT CORES

Virtual field experiences (VFEs) for K-12 teachers and faculty teaching in both formal and informal settings compliment curricula and learning objectives by reinforcing content while providing avenues for exploring data inquiry and the process of science. This virtual interface was created after participating in the School of Rock (SOR) program administered by the Deep Earth Academy. Participants of the 2010 SOR sailed on Expedition 328 aboard the JOIDES Resolution. The mission of the expedition was installation of a long-term seafloor observatory within the Cascadia Subduction Zone. Although the primary focus of the expedition was installing the observatory, participants were given an opportunity to explore hydrothermal vent chemistry borehole geophysical logging data, and a suite of deep-ocean sediment cores.

The IODP maintains an extensive collection of ocean sediment cores, accessible via CoreWall and in technical expedition summaries. This interface utilizes the OpenLayers API and Photosynth website so users can explore annotated gigapixel imagery of core sections and smear slides taken using a polarizing microscope. This approach overcomes the limited annotation tools within the Gigapan.org website and can be developed for use in offline environments. Improved annotation tools allows educators to utilize this interface for inquiry based assignments or VFEs.