UND geography unveils new earth science education tool to the public

David L. Dodds

Document Type

News Article

Publication Date

8-30-2016

Campus Unit

College of Arts & Sciences

Abstract

Apparatus, which allows users to construct landscapes out of sand, was built by faculty members and two grad students over the summer

The University of North Dakota played host to a public live demo of its Geography & Geographic Information Science’s Augmented Reality Sandbox (ARS) on Thursday, Sept. 1.

The ARS is a real-time, interactive landscape visualization tool. That is, users construct a landscape in the sand and the ARS responds by drawing contour lines and colorizing elevation. One can also make it “rain” and then watch how runoff flows across your landscape.

The ARS was built over the summer by Bradley Rundquist, the associate dean for research in geography, and two graduate students, Morgen Burke and Earl Klug, with support from the geography department and North Dakota View.

“We think that the ARS is a useful introductory earth science education tool that will appeal to K-12 students and science teachers who attend various STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) outreach activities in the region,” Rundquist said.

Rundquist said his group is interested in hearing feedback and thoughts from the public about this new tool.

There is more information along with photos and a few videos on the geography webpage but it’s better to see it in person, Rundquist said.

All are welcome.

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