Midpoint Presentation

BEYOND EARTH, BEYOND ORDINARY INTERACTIVE SPACE SCIENCE EDUCATION FOR ADULTS

ZIJIAN KEN LI THESIS PROJECT 1

BEYOND EARTH, BEYOND ORDINARY INTERACTIVE SPACE SCIENCE EDUCATION FOR ADULTS

BEYOND EARTH, BEYOND ORDINARY INTERACTIVE SPACE SCIENCE EDUCATION FOR ADULTS

Zijian Ken Li 03018361 Academy of Art University MFA Graphic Design Thesis Project Midpoint Presentation Email: li.zijian.x@gmail.com Phone: 415-519-3295

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Table of Contents

START POINT

BEYOND EARTH, BEYOND ORDINARY INTERACTIVE SPACE SCIENCE EDUCATION FOR ADULTS

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OVERVIEW

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SPACE SCIENCE

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THE DIRECT BENEFIT FROM SPACE SCIENCE

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LONG-TERM BENEFIT FROM SPACE SCIENCE

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PUBLIC UNDERSTANDING OF SCIENCE AND SCIENCE ITSELF

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PROPOSAL

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ABSTRACT

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AUDIENCE

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POSSIBLE DELIVERABLES

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TIME LINE

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RESUME

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STUDIO WORKS

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“All the adults are saying, ‘We need to improve science in the world. Let’s train the kids.’ ... It’s the adults that need the science literacy.”

— Neil deGrasse Tyson, an American astrophysicist and science communicator.

BEYOND EARTH, BEYOND ORDINARY INTERACTIVE SPACE SCIENCE EDUCATION FOR ADULTS

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OVERVIEW Finding object

Space science plays a unique and essential role in today’s rapidly changing world. The development of space science is a important step in human history. The space science and space exploration improve our life quality a lot, and make us know more about the space we live. The knowledge about space science is so important because the human future is related to it. The future of humankind is highly dependent on space exploration, no matter how difficult it is, the sources of humanity must flow to space technologies.

We already know the importance of science education for children, and we have already put a lot of attention on that. What about the adults?

Why we ignore the education for adult? How will adults’ lack of interest in science affect our society? Adults are outnumber to children, there is no doubt that we must also pay attention on this large group of people.

BEYOND EARTH, BEYOND ORDINARY INTERACTIVE SPACE SCIENCE EDUCATION FOR ADULTS

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BEYOND EARTH, BEYOND ORDINARY INTERACTIVE SPACE SCIENCE EDUCATION FOR ADULTS

Basis

SPACE SCIENCE What is space science? Space science is the study of the solar system and the Universe beyond, integrates a variety of scientific disciplines, mathematics, and technology.

Science education is critically important, enabling people to make informed decisions about our place in space, our environment, and the future of our planet.

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CURRENT

THE DIRECT BENEFIT FROM SPACE SCIENCE The space technology bring so many benefits inti our life. Whether you have seen it or not, space science and technology have changed our life from different perspectives. The most obvious and direct benefit comes from the satellites which are flying above our head. With the services provided by satellites, our daily life becomes more effective and convenient.

• Weather from space Can we predict the future? In some ways, yes. The weather satellites transmit images of the earth for forecasters purpose, analyse these images can told us the weather situation in the future. The forecaster service help us plan schedule and prevent disasters.

• Know where you are Imagine a world where you’re never lost, never miss your turn-off when driving, never lose track of a consignment in transit, and never misdirect the rescue services in an emergency. Thanks to navigation satellites, that world is within reach.

BEYOND EARTH, BEYOND ORDINARY INTERACTIVE SPACE SCIENCE EDUCATION FOR ADULTS

• Emergency response operation Space technology has been used around the world for emergency response operation and management when calamities and nature disasters have occurred.

• Better telecommunications The sky over the Equator is crowded with geostationary satellites, orbiting in step with the Earth’s rotation and busily relaying voices, messages, and TV programmes.

The satellite telecommunication maximal expansion of human communication.

Beside these benefits I mentioned, there is still a lot of technology came from the space exploration but we don’t know. I believe a large part of modern civilization gave benefits from the space science. The space science plays a important role in the current civilization more than our imagination.

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LONG-TERM BENEFIT FROM SPACE SCIENCE Apart from direct benefits, spin-off from space technology finds ever more applications for the whole society. One can say that the benefits resulted from space exploration can better ensure the safety and wellness of individuals’s daily life, and to the well-being and survival of mankind, as there are useful spin-off technologies, sophisticated satellite technologies, and advanced space travelling technologies that can save human lives. The continuation of space exploration is really necessary due to these benefits, as they greatly exceed any of the potential drawbacks, such as monetary costs, and some relative dangers of space travel. I believe that the excellent results of space exploration are extremely helpful, not only to particular individuals, but also to our entire mankind.

Many spin-offs of space exploration led to medical breakthroughs, which can save the lives of thousands of patients from illnesses

and serious health problems. Technological and scientific advancements resulted from space exploration can greatly benefit humans. The spin-offs from space exploration were only possible due to our funding for the variety of needs that manned missions required, but produced many fantastic

BEYOND EARTH, BEYOND ORDINARY INTERACTIVE SPACE SCIENCE EDUCATION FOR ADULTS

Looking forward

technological results that have helped our society. These technologies are not only beneficial to the patients with special needs, but to the mankind as well.

Countless lives are saved with the technology resulted of satellites, as thousands of them orbit our planet Earth, constantly transmitting valuable data for humans to be used.

Satellite has allowed many things that humans have only dreamed in the past to become reality, such as predicting natural disasters.

Further space exploration technological advancements could potentially save mankind from global catastrophes, since then we might

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face dangers that could threaten the survival of humans and the entire planet. From the near term, space science can help us prevent or survival from the outer space threat, such as the space radiation, solar storms, or the green effect. At the same time, space technology can help us facing the problem come from earth itself, for example, better manager and protect earth resource, measure the pollution from human activities, early detection of climate changes. In the extreme situation, space colonization can be a longterm solution for the survival of our species in case of a problem that would endanger mankind, such as overpopulation, or if Earth was in direct danger, where space travelling technology enabling humans to live elsewhere in the universe would be vital.

I believe that the space exploration will make the future bright and full of potential.

Further space exploration should continue and should be encouraged, as the technology

that comes from space exploration can benefit individuals in need, populations under threat of natural disasters, and mankind in danger from various natural occurrences on a global scale. Useful spin-off technologies, satellite technologies, and more advanced space travelling technologies all benefit humans in many ways. I think that the continuation of space exploration is key point, as the benefits to human lives that the technologies saved and will save greatly outweighs any monetary cost or the heavily invested time. Without the continuation of space exploration and funding, our world would not be the same in terms of technological availability, as the future of Earth, and the future of mankind, may depend on the exploration of space, and many of the related benefits that come along with it.

BEYOND EARTH, BEYOND ORDINARY INTERACTIVE SPACE SCIENCE EDUCATION FOR ADULTS

INVENTIONS WE USE DAILY THANKS TO SPACE SCIENCE: Smoke Detector To prevent the fire and noxious gases on skylab, the first U.S. space station, NASA Teams up with Honeywell Corporation, NASA invented the first adjustable smoke detector with different sensitivity levels to prevent false alarms.

Invisible Braces Invisible braces are made of translucent polycrystalline alumina (TPA). A company called Ceradyne developed TPA in conjunction with NASA Advanced Ceramics Research to protect the infrared antennae of heat-seeking missile trackers.

Ear Thermometer Diatek, which developed the first of these kinds of thermometers, took advantage of NASA’s previous advancements in measuring the temperature of stars with infrared technology.

Memory Foam The open cell polyurethanesilicon plastic was created for use in NASA aircraft seats to lessen impact during landings. The plastic has a unique property that allows it to evenly distribute the weight and pressure on top of it, which provides shock absorbency.

Scratch-resistant Lenses Because of dirt and particles found in space environments, NASA needed a special coating to protect space equipment, particularly astronaut helmet visors. The special plastics coating made its sunglasses ten times more scratchresistant than uncoated plastics.

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“Science is intimately integrated with the whole social structure and cultural tradition. They mutually support one other—only in certain types of society can science flourish, and conversely without a continuous and healthy development and application of science such a society cannot function properly.”

— Talcott Parsons, American sociologist

BEYOND EARTH, BEYOND ORDINARY INTERACTIVE SPACE SCIENCE EDUCATION FOR ADULTS

Relationship

PUBLIC UNDERSTANDING OF SCIENCE AND SCIENCE ITSELF Most of us understand the importance of scientific literacy. Indeed, we know that everyone, not just the expert person, benefits from the knowledge and the skills of science.

With the better understanding of scientific, it comes better decision-making capabilities and easier navigation through our everyday challenges. A good sense of science is key to productivity and success.

Public understanding of science is not only benefits the individuals,it is also essential for the health of the scientific itself. Innovations of science and science programmes are better understood and more likely to be accepted when the public understands the scientific process. Public support of science, including the allocation of tax dollars, is more likely to be sustained when people appreciate the value that science brings to solving the everyday problems.

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PROBLEMS, GAPS AND CHALLENGES ON SPACE SCIENCE EDUCATION: Low Science Literacy Level

Adults were ignored It’s easy to find science education programs for kids and teenagers, they include both formal and informal education.

Sometime the adults were even wondered by these education programs. But the fact is it is difficult to find education programs for adults. If there are still not enough actions be taken on space science education for adults, we will keep missing our science literacy.

A report of National Science Foundation showed by 23 percent of Americans understand the nature of scientific inquiry well enough to make informed judgements about the scientific basis of results reported in the media.

Science as process of inquiry and real projects

Don’t Realize The Importance of Space Science A NSF study shows, only one in ten American adults thinks himself or herself very well informed about space exploration, because this areas may not touch their daily lives. We know it is not right. From the previous articles, we can find space science and related technology do affect our everyday life.

Too much science instruction is based on imparting a body of knowledge to the individuals and then having them apply this knowledge to some predefined problems.

This challenge comes in finding a way to allow the public can design their own projects based on their question.

BEYOND EARTH, BEYOND ORDINARY INTERACTIVE SPACE SCIENCE EDUCATION FOR ADULTS

INSPIRATIONS AND IDEAS TO SOLVE THE PROBLEMS:

Focus on adults

Informal Science Education Besides the formal science education, the study in school, we still have a lot place to learn science and get inspire from science. For example, the museum, science centers, radio programs, television, internet, and even some theme parks and video games. These informal educations excite people so much and have much more interesting learning experience.

Better Communication for Science education

Teach and train adults will be a new opportunity in science education. I believe the spread of knowledge have the power to leverage the society. Neil deGrasse Tyson, an American astrophysicist and science communicator said “Adults outnumber children. They’re in charge. They wield resources. They vote.

All of the things that shape the society in which we live are conducted by adults.”

Connecting space science to everyday subjects

We should always make connections between space science and our everyday experience or topics. As some science fiction provides alternate pathways to thinking about science, we can generate more inspirations and ideas from a particular science area. Even we specifically focus on space science, we can still find the connections between it and everyday life. It always have more convincing to leverage people to care about science if the topic connect to the everyday life.

Science education needs a better platform to make communication between the experts and the learner. Developing literacy in one particular area of science is likened to climbing a mountain. It is dynamic, participatory, and it inevitably changes the participant’s view. This process is facilitated by science communication. Appropriate skills, media, activities, and dialogue are used to improve individuals’ awareness, enjoyment, interest, opinions, or understanding of science.

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PROPOSAL Finding a way

Teaching space science to adults is a important part to improve the public science literacy. Science literacy has the ability to shape our nation, our society, and even the future. Learn space science will increase publics’ passion on space exploration, with this passion, we will never stop dreaming tomorrow.

From the above study and research, I have found some problems in the current science education system. The low level of science literacy, lack of adult science education, ignore the importance of some particular science objects, and need-improved education. Problem means that there are opportunities. For these reasons we have chance to get into these problems to solve them.

As part of my thesis, I would like to research the better way in which bring visual design into science communication and science community to give us better sense and interest in learning science. I believe the visualization of science will play a important role in science education.

I also believe good visual image of the science education program will largely encourage people get into the science world.

Another part of my thesis would be explore how to use design to provide a better communication platform in personal communication devices, like smart phone or tablet. I believe the concept of educate at anytime and anywhere will well fit the busy life, and will be the most convenient to learn knowledge.

BEYOND EARTH, BEYOND ORDINARY INTERACTIVE SPACE SCIENCE EDUCATION FOR ADULTS

Make it happen

ABSTRACT I will use design as a tool to support space science education by creating visualize science for adult individuals, and also offer people a more effective and comfortable way to learn science. I will explore the relationship between visual promotion and the wishes of public to participate in activities, and how the visual information effect the way people learn. Through this, I hope to discover a improved learning experience in space science education by using visual design, and raise interest in learning science.

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PEOPLE

MY POSITION IN THIS THESIS PROJECT • As a graphic artist, create beautiful visual works.

• As a visual communicator, design effective visual communication between educator and learner.

• As a identity system designer, create reliable image for science education organization.

AUDIENCE • Adults who wish their children be trained on science but ignore their own training.

• Adults who are interested in space science but can’t or don’t want to read the complex scientific article.

• Adults who used to love science but lost the passion after they grown up.

BEYOND EARTH, BEYOND ORDINARY INTERACTIVE SPACE SCIENCE EDUCATION FOR ADULTS

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POSSIBLE DELIVERABLES Make real

BRANDING In this project, I will create a brand as a space science education organization. To encourage individuals join the learn programs, a eye-catching image of the education organization is a necessary condition. At the same time, the visual image should also deliver a message to the public— it will be a smart choice to join this interesting science community.

PROMOTION MATERIAL Beside the branding system, I will design some related products to promote the learn programs. The material will includes posters, brochures, and collectible products such as card set or gifts.

TABLET/SMARTPHONE APPLICATION AND WEBSITE As a important part of this thesis, this application and website will provide a unique and functional science communication platform to the science learner. It will gives them a better community to explore the space science. By using this application, the public can join the education community, custom their own scientific exploration and allow other people to join in, the community will use incentives to encourage people join the virtual science mission.

BEYOND EARTH, BEYOND ORDINARY INTERACTIVE SPACE SCIENCE EDUCATION FOR ADULTS

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TIMELINE Fall 2012 • Thesis Development • Directed Study • Directed Study

BEYOND EARTH, BEYOND ORDINARY INTERACTIVE SPACE SCIENCE EDUCATION FOR ADULTS

Spring 2013

Summer 2013

• Nature of Identity

• Portfolio

• Directed Study • Directed Study

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BIOGRAPHY About me

I’m an international student from China. I had a goal to change our society with my design. This goal may not work, but I will still try.

Each one of us have dreams, but with our grown up, our dream becomes more and more realistic. People become mainly their own interests. We Lost a lot of things during we growing up.

After I starting to learn graphic design at Academy of Art University, I realized I have the ability to use my design skills to regain my children dreams again — ­ help people, help the society. My tool is my design skill.

The visual design have the power to deliver information to the public, make them awareness on something they already or almost forgot. With this tool, I think it is the right time to make some activities.

BEYOND EARTH, BEYOND ORDINARY INTERACTIVE SPACE SCIENCE EDUCATION FOR ADULTS

RÉSUMÉ Education Academy of Art University, San Francisco, CA Graphic Design, Master of Fine Art 2009 –­Present Huaqiao University, China Industrial Design, Bachelor of Engineering 2004 – 2008

Work Experience PATTERN Production Design/Production Assistant (Intern) Hong Kong, Sep. 2007 – Jan. 2008 Pattern Production services event production and window dressing in Hong Kong, Shanghai and Shenzhen. My main task was graphic design and production installation. I learn the importance of teamwork and task planing from this experience. This work experience also aroused my interest in graphic design and visual communication.

Related Skills • Sketch Drawing, Markers Rendering • Photography • Design Software: Adobe CS Maxon Cinema4D Rhinoceros.

• Business Software: Microsoft Office.

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THANK YOU FOR YOUR ATTENTION.

Final GOAL

BEYOND EARTH, BEYOND ORDINARY INTERACTIVE SPACE SCIENCE EDUCATION FOR ADULTS

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Book design Copyright Š Zijian Li 2012 This Thesis Project book was written and designed by Zijian Li for review by the Academy of Art University and the Midpoint Committee Members.

All Rights Reserved BEYOND EARTH, BEYOND ORDINARY INTERACTIVE SPACE SCIENCE EDUCATION FOR ADULTS