NASA will be bringing its ‘Science On a Sphere’ educational programme to Cayman for the first time during the Caribbean Transitional Energy Conference (CTEC) 2018 at the Kimpton Seafire Resort on 13-14 September.

‘Science On a Sphere’ will be open to conference attendees throughout the event, with local schools also being invited to attend the exhibition.

The exhibition consists of a giant suspended sphere that uses four high definition projectors and computer technology to display planetary data onto the 3D animated globe. The displays include complex environmental processes, such as atmospheric storms, climate change and ocean temperatures to help educate and increase public understanding of our environment.

‘Science On a Sphere’, which was developed by researchers at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) and BWC Visual Technology, who work alongside NASA to create thousands of datasets, representing real life environmental scenarios of the atmosphere, oceans and land of a planet.

Maurice Henderson, a representative of the educational programme at NASA, will be presenting ‘Science on a Sphere’ at the conference. Speaking about its addition to CTEC 2018, he said, “Science On a Sphere is an exciting educational tool for visualising the Earth from Space. We use the platform to examine earth science data to help businesses, educators, and students better understand our home planet. The compelling views presented on Science On a Sphere carries us across space and time to appreciate our journey on spaceship Earth.  We bring the data to life, I often call it the “Living Earth”, as we work to inspire the next generation of scientists.”

Mr James Whittaker, CTEC Organiser and President of the Cayman Renewable Energy Association (CREA) said, “We are excited to bring something new and different to the conference this year and to have it available to local students in the Cayman Islands. ‘Science On a Sphere’ is an important tool that helps educate and generate awareness around some of the key environmental topics we are discussing during the conference.”

The ‘Science On a Sphere’ exhibition will have limited access available to local schools in Cayman during the conference on 13-14 September. Schools interested in attending the exhibition can register their interest by contacting [email protected].

About Science On a Sphere

Science On a Sphere® (SOS) is a room sized, global display system that uses computers and video projectors to display planetary data onto a six foot diameter sphere, analogous to a giant animated globe. Researchers at theNational Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) developed Science On a Sphere® as an educational tool to help illustrate Earth System science to people of all ages. Animated images of atmospheric storms, climate change, and ocean temperature can be shown on the sphere, which is used to explain what are sometimes complex environmental processes, in a way that is simultaneously intuitive and captivating. Science On a Sphere® extends NOAA’s educational program goals, which are designed to increase public understanding of the environment. Using NOAA’s collective experience and knowledge of the Earth’s land, oceans, and atmosphere, NOAA uses Science On a Sphere® as an instrument to enhance informal educational programs in science centres, universities, and museums across the country.

About Maurice Henderson

After retiring from the telecommunication industry, he has worked five years in a variety of education and public outreach capacities. He was instrumental in getting the “New Views of the Universe: Hubble Space Telescope” exhibit added to the NASA Goddard visitor center, and into the traveling exhibit program. He also introduced the Science on a Sphere system at NASA Goddard, and currently supports the distribution of NASA science to this user community of 20+ museums and science centers.

About CTEC 2018

The Caribbean Transitional Energy Conference (CTEC), will bring together local, regional and  international delegates from public, private and non-profit sectors over a two day period to address  local and regional climate change through the adoption of renewable energy. Industry experts will be speaking over the course of the conference, including Adrian Grenier, Seychelles Ambassador to the United Nations, Ronald Jumeau and Dr. Kendrick Pickering, Deputy Premier and Minister for

National Resources and Labour, British Virgin Islands.