Smithsonian Ocean Hall: Ocean Today Kiosk
Mike Shelby
Management and Budget, Communications and Education Division
National Ocean Service (NOS)
The Ocean Today Kiosk will be a highly dynamic and visitor-friendly experience at the Smithsonian's National Museum of Natural History's new Ocean Hall. Opening in September 2008, the Ocean Hall will span more than 26,000 square feet and be the most prominent hall in the museum. As visitors enter the hall, they will discover two Ocean Today Kiosks to their immediate right. Each kiosk will include a 32-inch, independently-operated, touch-screen display, and a 42-inch echo monitor above. This arrangement allows multiple groups to simultaneously interact with the content. The kiosk area will accommodate two specially designed sound areas that will envelop visitors. One sound area will immerse the visitors interacting with the 32-inch displays while the other sound area, at a comfortable distance behind the first, allows a group experience and easy viewing of the content mirrored on the 42-inch overhead display.
Image credit: Smithsonian Institution, National Museum of Natural History.
The kiosk will enhance ocean literacy among museum goers through an enticing multi-media experience. A dynamic interface comprised of ocean imagery and video clips, will invite visitors to explore several content areas. When a visitor touches the screen, the content areas will be revealed to show the most recent information. The main content themes are Ocean Science & Technology, Ocean News, Recent Discoveries, and Ocean Life.
Although the Ocean Today Kiosk will be developed specifically for the Ocean Hall, the same content will be shared with other science museums and aquaria across the United States. The kiosk will provide an opportunity for contributor based, relevant content. As part of the development of the kiosk, Smithsonian and NOAA have developed an editorial review process to ensure accuracy and timeliness of the content.
Story proposals are always being considered. Please think of the kiosk as a venue to tell the public about your project or cool new finding. For more details, visit the Ocean Today Kiosk Working Site (http://www2.nos.noaa.gov/oceannewskiosk/). If you have a story idea or would like to explore an idea or concept please contact Katie Snider (Katie.Snider@noaa.gov) and remember there is never a bad time to submit an idea.