Problem
Today Educational Centers are becoming popular and are opening in large cities. Unfortunately, residents of the regions and many countries do not always have the opportunity to visit them.
Opening branches and traveling exhibitions do not solve these problems. Not every locality has a place to place an exposition. The costs of moving and setting up expositions are sometimes difficult to recoup.
About
The main idea of SCIENCE CARAVAN Platform is to create and disseminate visualized educational projects. Accessible to the most diverse regions and segments of the world’s population. Created as an interesting spectacle and offering education in an accessible and entertaining form. Using only “clean” – non-destructive technologies. Where man in the process of learning does not invade nature.
Science Caravan Exhibitions
The main element is the Multimedia stand. Multimedia stand is a means of material visualization. It allows you to present a large amount of informative information from a very small area.
The Projects created for it are single blocks of thematic video, telling about a specific object or phenomenon. In terms of meaning, they are connected by a single storyline.
Multimedia stand (Pic. 1) consists of three monitors. The main monitor is located in the center, and two are located on the sides. The central monitor is where the main action takes place. The side monitors are auxiliary monitors. On them video images of enlarged objects or other perspectives are opened
Pic. 1. Interactive multimedia stand. Multimedia stand is the multimedia part of the exposition. The image without special glasses looks blurred. The photo shows a 3D version of the monitors.
The exposition “Science Caravan Coral Van” consists of several parts:
Introductory (museum) part – showcases, moulages of marine animals, etc..
Multimedia part – exposition on a stand with three monitors.
Experimental part – water laboratory.
The van fully corresponds to the general concept of the project. The main idea – modern means of visualization, placed in a transformer trailer, allow to present a large amount of informative information. At the same time using a very small space.
The classes are organized in such a way that the tour group during the class goes from the Multimedia stand to the laboratory tables where experiments and tests are conducted. Returning to the Multimedia stand, another change of plot awaits them. Representatives of the underwater world, collected here, are rarely found underwater, they cannot be found in the oceanarium, they simply cannot stand being kept in captivity.
To produce the multimedia part of the exposition, the original Video footage filmed and processed by the project participants was used.
Experiments and experiments are carried out in the water laboratory. Using traditional and specially designed equipment. Among other things, they demonstrate how electricity can be used to accelerate the growth of coral reefs (Pic. 2).
Pic. 2. Calcium enrichment of water to accelerate coral reef growth
In the water laboratory, as well as in the Multimedia stand and other exhibits, visitors themselves, with the help of the presenter, find answers to the questions of Science Caravan Quiz.
The trailer itself is made in the form of a transformer (Pic. 3). The transformation of the trailer is necessary because the main information element of the exposition is the Multimedia stand consisting of three 55” monitors. For comfortable viewing the viewers should be located at a distance of two diagonals from the monitor. Therefore, in the stationary (exposition) position the monitors are moved out of the transport dimensions of the trailer. This is achieved by transforming the trailer walls.
Pic. 3. Schematic of the trailer in the exposed position. The wall elements are extended outwards.
It turned out to be convenient for showcases (Pic. 4) and laboratory tables. In the unfolded exposition they are also moved out of the transport dimensions, leaving the space of the trailer free for moving excursionists.
Pic. 4. A modern view of the ancient sea.
Sharks, jaws, all these are very skillfully made moulages. There are no live exhibits, this is a principled position.
In transport position it is an ordinary van measuring 9 x 2.55 m. (Pic. 5)
Pic. 5. Van in transport position
In the demonstration position, the width is increased by 1.3 m.
Pic. 6. Dismantling the van from exposure position to transport position
The trailer can be easily folded into transport position and easily dismantled into display position (Pic. 6).
The trailer is designed in the most rational way possible. It does not require any additional documents for registration of license plates or road permits. Everything is within standard procedures. The Science Caravan Coral Van is a pilot project. As it develops, new Vans will be added. Each with its own theme – Tropical Van, Astronomy Van, Biophysics Van, Anthropology Van and so on.
Options for offline expositions
The project is easily scalable. Since the basis, it is cognitive visualized programs.
From several Mobail Van, larger and more diverse expositions can be created. Use them together as a “Caravan of Science” or take turns visiting cities and even small towns as part of a single project (Pic. 7). With their modular design they allow to configure interesting exhibition spaces in open areas.
The mobile center can operate completely autonomously, using a small power generator or solar panels.
Pic. 7. Structure of Science Caravan offline exposition
It is possible to create not only mobile versions. Our method of presenting a large amount of informative information from a small area allows us to create stationary compact educational centers as well
In terms of size they are close to a trailer. To create a stationary replaceable Mini Center you will need a very small room. In such Mini Centers it is easy and quick to change the exposition. As it is based on Multimedia stands . Microscopes, showcases and much of the laboratory equipment work equally well when changing exposures. Whether it is the underwater world, insect life or a slice of a meteorite in an astronomy exhibit, the Center can be placed in a shopping mall, educational institution, school or university, airport, hotel, etc. Only about 30 square meters is required.
Following the path of minimization it is also possible to create very tiny Micro Expositions. Consisting only of a Multimedia stand and a laboratory table for experiments.
We constantly emphasize that one of the advantages is compactness and mobility. This is true. But this does not mean that there is no need for stationary expositions in large halls & open spaces (Pic. 8). Compactness means that the Multimedia stand will be just as functional and space-saving in a large area. Leaving space for other parts of the exposition. As mentioned above, the Science Caravan Coral Van project was exhibited in a large space for the first time. It was a former industrial workshop with an area of 1100 m2. It was converted into an exhibition space. Six multimedia stands were used. Two 3D screens 4×6 and 2×3 meters. A large space was occupied by the museum area.
At Stationary expositions in large halls & open spaces, in addition to the cognitive part, it is necessary to pay more attention to the spectacularity of the project. Now having equipment for shooting and demonstration of video in 8K resolution it is possible to create spectacular expositions on large screens, attracting attention.
Pic. 8. Science Caravan Coral Van project in the large exhibition space.
The development of offline versions along with online versions makes it possible to train not only students but also teachers. Teachers from local educational institutions are engaged as presenters for Science Caravan Exhibitions. Special preparatory sessions and workshops are organized for them.
Existing experience
As mentioned above, the Science Caravan Coral Van project as a prototype of the SCIENCE CARAVAN Platform has existed as an offline project since 2012. In ten years, the exposition has changed six sites. From a stationary one with an area of 1100 m2. to a mobile 22.5 m2. in a van.
It now exists as the Mobile educational “Science Caravan Coral Van” (Pic.9).
Pic. 9. Science Caravan Coral Van