THE DEVELOPMENT OF SCIENTIFIC INTEREST AND SKILL THROUGH DIGITAL DISPLAYS: INSPIRING AWE AND CURIOSITY ABOUT THE NATURAL WORLD

Mineral and fossil displays have the capacity to impart knowledge, curiosity, and awe about our natural world. Viewing and use of a physical collection is limited to those who have access to it, which may be constrained by distance, entrance cost, transportation, etc. This restricts the potential reach of a collection, thus discouraging use of learning activities about fossils and minerals that could promote inquisitiveness and scientific exploration. The creation of an aesthetically pleasing, scientifically accurate, and effectively communicated digital display serves multiple purposes, foremost of which is the desire to break down one of the accessibility barriers that makes some science unreachable and foster curiosity that can lead to development of scientific interest and skills.

The geological collection on display at Ursinus College (near Philadelphia, PA), has over a thousand mineral, rock, and fossils samples, which collectively show various physical, optical, and chemical properties that occur naturally. A variety of fields can benefit from having access to this collection in the development of related formal and informal learning experiences in geoscience, biology, chemistry, physics, and math, as well as disciplines outside of STEM, such as history, art, and photography. Access to this collection, and associated learning activities, is currently limited to those who can visit campus, but could be expanded substantially via the creation of a digital display that is both aesthetically appealing and effective in communicating accurate scientific information. Additionally, digital displays provide benefits for collection caretakers by hosting database information about the collection for internal and public use, are a way to preserve mineral species that are susceptible to decay in ambient conditions, can help offer public access to collections for research (as well as educational) purposes, and development can engage undergraduate students. However, there are many factors that must be considered in the development of an effective digital display, including, but not limited to, the appeal of the photographs as well as the site design itself, which must be attractive visually and organizationally, and easily lead viewers through the site, while also allowing for more freeform exploration.