UMaine Researchers Launch Interactive Climate Change Exhibit at Acadia National Park
Contact: Molly Schauffler, 581-2707
Students and faculty from the Climate Change Institute at the University of Maine have teamed up with Acadia National Park personnel to launch “The Science of Climate Change: a journey to Reedy Glacier, Antarctica.” This kiosk-style exhibit, on view at the Sieur de Mont Nature Center through Oct. 13, explains climate change research in an accessible, engaging way.
“It has the potential to be seen by a lot of people,” said Molly Schauffler, a research assistant professor with the Climate Change Institute. “There is a need for public information. Beliefs are driven by politics, fads, fears, polls. People have misconceptions about temperature and climate. Democracy requires that people understand science.”
Schauffler worked with Brenda Hall, an associate professor of earth sciences, and master’s student Gordon Bromley on the effort. They received $75,000 from the National Science Foundation to support the project, which includes interactive video, interviews with researchers, photographs from the field and maps. It will be supplemented by online components and an accompanying DVD. Schauffler, Hall and Bromley hired Modular Media of Searsport to produce the materials, and they are hopeful this is the first in a series of educational exhibits related to climate change.
The kiosk will be on view at Climate Change 21 — Choices for the 21st Century, an environmental festival that will be held at UMaine on Oct. 23 and 24. The event is free and open to the public. The kiosk will then move on to a retail or museum setting.
The Sieur de Mont Nature Center is open from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. daily. For information about the nature center, call Acadia National Park information at 288-3338, Ext. 0.