Undergraduates Develop Job Skills by Creating Interactive Software for Reserve Visitors - NERRS/NSC(NERRS Science Collaborative)

This project supported the development of new, innovative visitor displays at three national estuarine research reserves. Guana Tolomato Matanzas, Mission-Aransas, and Delaware National Estuarine Research Reserves partnered with University of Delaware students to produce educational, gesture-controlled computer games installed on interactive screens in each reserve’s exhibit hall. Participants explore the dynamic nature of estuarine systems as they navigate situations involving plants, animals and people that draw from recent research at the reserves and illustrate common issues faced by estuaries across the country. The games offer visitors interactive learning opportunities and encourage stewardship by exploring actions individuals, families and communities can take to promote ecosystem resilience. This science transfer project was funded by NOAA through the National Estuarine Research Reserve System Science Collaborative to promote the use of science. It did not produce any new data.