T115 Virtual Reality in Geoscience Education I (Digital Posters)

Monday, 10 October 2011
9:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Hall C

KECKCAVES: ENABLING INTERACTIVE VISUAL EXPLORATION IN VIRTUAL REALITY FOR THE GEOSCIENCES

Paper number: T115-4
Program: Technical Sessions
Time: 9:00 AM – 6:00 PM

Authors

Abstract

The earth sciences increasingly rely on large and complex datasets obtained via major investments in data acquisition, modeling, and simulation. As a result, geoscience students must be prepared to understand, use, and develop cyberinfrastructure tools (CI) for analysis and interpretation of such data. Interactive visualization in a virtual reality environment provides a uniquely powerful method for interacting with complex data to build understanding of complex systems and concepts. At the Keck Center for Active Visualization in Earth Sciences (KeckCAVES), we have built a collaboration among computer scientists, geoscientists, and physicists to develop a suite of research tools for visualization and remote collaboration in such immersive environments. These methods are used for scientific problems as diverse as neotectonic mapping, mantle dynamics simulations, earthquake physics, and 3D reconstruction of microbialites. With support from an NSF CI-TEAM grant, we have incorporated these tools into a program for training, education, and mentoring the next generation of computer scientists and geoscientists.

Our CI program for education, training, and mentoring uses virtual reality in a 4-sided CAVE and other interactive immersive visualization environments, ranging from 3D screens to desktop and laptop computers. Our multidisciplinary teams develop CI tools, conduct research and education, and prepare instructional modules that are being integrated into the general education and geosciences and physics curriculum. The KeckCAVES is a magnet for students, and our program interests and educates a diverse student population in using, supporting, developing, and designing geoscience virtual reality tools. Through mentored research activities and focused courses, we provide geoscience, physics, applied mathematics, and computer science students with the background, tools, and sense of discovery that motivate them to become part of a well prepared CI workforce. In addition, by integrating the tools into immersive displays at the Tahoe Environmental Research Center (TERC) and by introducing visualization tools into undergraduate general science education, we expose thousands of people to the scientific use of virtual reality.

More information can be found at www.keckcaves.org