Week 4: Brainstorming Exhibit Improvements

This Thursday, the Energy Net group continued work on improving our existing exhibit. One of our interns, Lauren led an activity teaching teens about indicator species. Indicator species are organisms that are sensitive to a particular environmental condition such as certain pollutants. The health of indicator species are used to indicate the health of the ecosystem overall. Some of the indicator species we looked at were mussels, clams, and snails.

Getting our hands on indicator species

The group then ventured up to the existing exhibit and brainstormed ideas to improve the visitor experience and visitor understanding of the topics displayed. We broke up into three groups, each of which concentrated on a different aspect of the exhibit. The groups focused what visitors can learn, how water pollution affects their lives, and what changes they can make in their own lives to solve the problem.

Braining about the exhibit in the exhibit space

Each group then created a sketch of improvements or additions that would improve the visitor experience. Groups then presented their ideas to everyone. One of the ideas of the first group was to include samples of permeable and impermeable surfaces, so that visitors get a visual representation of the difference between the two.

Brainstorming exhibit improvements

The second group wanted to have the visitor's think about how these issues concern them. One idea was to include flip panels which various activities visitors may like to do on the rivers, and the impacts that pollution has on those activities. For instance, if people like to boat, they would flip up that panel and see that in the days following a heavy rain storm, they are advised to stay off of the water.

Presenting our amazing ideas!

One of the ideas of the third group, who focused on active visitor participation was to have a model rain garden, which people could construct. Another idea they had was to have a map of Pittsburgh where visitors could velcro pictures of green roofs to the places green roofs actually exist on the map. Next week we will narrow down what exhibit piece we can complete in the next month!

Week 4: Get Creative Challenge & Exhibit Brainstorming

Today we warmed up with a couple of fun activities and we got a chance to write to our Professional Pen Pals.  After we got the creative juices flowing we began brainstorming in small groups about our new mission statement which allowed us to narrow down what the new and improved exhibit will focus on.

Energy Net teens asking questions to our Professional Pen Pals

Next, we took a trip upstairs to visit our current exhibit in order to think about what we would like to change and improve upon for the upcoming months. The teens instantly picked out many things that they feel didn't work well in the current exhibit and they had a lot of creative and helpful suggestions to make it better.

Sticky notes with ideas to improve the exhibit

Then we went back downstairs to brainstorm in small groups. This time each group was given a topic to think about and then come up with an idea for the exhibit that would better explain the topic to the visitors of the museum.

Brainstorming creative ideas to enhance our current exhibit. 

Week 3: Audio and Interview Practice

Today the folks from Pittsburgh Film Makers lead an audio workshop for the teens. Teens learned the basics including how to set up all the equipment, types of microphones, and the jobs and roles of the camera crew. Jobs included a camera operator, audio tech, interviewer, director, and director's assistant.

Learning how to set up the camera microphones. 

With all the basics down, the teens rotated through three interview stations.The interview stations were positioned in locations where the teens had to overcome a filming challenge. Challenges included poor lighting, a busy space, and a lot of background noise. Solutions included adjusting the camera position and white balance and using a boom microphone to remove background noise. 

Geosquad at the poor lighting interview station.

At the end of the day, we watched and critiqued each group's video. The next step is to conduct our first interview with an environmental professional. Happy filming!

Week 3: Energy-Net Cancelled Tuesday

Snow and freezing rain forced local schools to close today. As a result Energy-Net will not meet on Tuesday, February 18th. The program will resume on Thursday. Stay warm!

Week 2: Pitt Campus Tour

Today we visited Pitt's Geology Department to interview Katie Redling, a lab manager, and Dr. Dan Bain, an assistant professor in Geology. Katie gave a tour of geochemistry lab where she analyzes water and sediment samples. The teens practiced their interviewing skills by asking Katie questions about her job.

Katie talking to the teens about her job as a lab manager.

Dr. Dan Bain talked to the teens about his research and his experience as a professor. He talked about research he conducted in Baltimore on sediment sources and different types of metals. The teens interviewed Dr. Bain and practiced operating the camera. 

Dr Bain talking about his favorite metals.

Next, we visited Pitt's Benedum Hall. There was a rooftop garden we visited, which is built on top of the engineering classrooms. Urban rooftop gardens help oxygenate the area, mitigate storm water runoff, and provide green space within a city. 

The green roof at Benedum Hall.

Posted by: Ravil, Justice, & Cameron

Week 2: Filming in the Snow

Today we learned how to film efficiently. Trica and Louis from Pittsburgh Film Makers gave a workshop on strategies for effective films. The teens learned how to use a camera, how to set up the tripod, different film terms, and types of shots. 

Practice using a video camera.

The teens also practiced making a short film about snow. They interviewed each other and made some b-roll shots. Some of the teens showed their videos in class and we critiqued their films.

Teens being interviewed about snow.

Post by: Ian Benjamin, Isaiah, Krissy, and special guest Kat.

Week 1: Creatively Critiquing Exhibits

Today was the second day of Energy-Net. We explored how to evaluate and improve exhibits. This included critiquing existing exhibits, seeing what works and what needs improved, and suggesting new ideas.

Exploring the "Playground Project" exhibit

We analyzed evaluation data from other exhibits to assess visitor experiences and discussed how we could improve the quality of the visitor experience.

Critiquing the "Art of the Future" exhibit

We then critiqued the "Playground Project" exhibit to identify what features of the exhibit were most interesting to us. Using this information we identified ways to improve our exhibit, including adding brighter colors, improve the quality of the video, and updating the instructions for the activities.

~ Isaiah, E.J., & Krissy

Week 1: An Exciting First Day!

Teen personal ambitions collages.

Today was the first day of Energy-Net for the spring semester and we are all really looking forward to this session!

Here are some of our thoughts when asked, "What are you most excited about this spring?!?!?!"

Lindsay:" I'm excited about opening the teens up to environmental issues and jobs that I care about!"

Lauren: "I am excited to improve upon last session's exhibit!"

Michelle: " I'm excited about working as a team"

Shountese-" I'm excited about being here and meeting new people."

Amber- "I am excited about doing field work. I am also excited about learning about the different jobs here in Pittsburgh."

Alannah: "I am excited about learning about local jobs in Pittsburgh!"

Isaiah: " I am excited about everything!"

Rebekah: "I'm excited about learning what environmental job opportunities are available in Pittsburgh."

Cameron:"I'm excited about helping keep Carnegie world class"

Justice: "I am excited about everything "

Oddyssey: "I am excited about learning new things and this amazing opportunity."

Lyza: "Im looking forward to learning more about green jobs"

Cierra:"I really enjoyed the first day back. I am really excited for when we finish our next the exhibit"

Mikayla: "Im happy to be participating in EnergyNet!"

E.J.: ''I'm lookin' forward to that warm weather, and working on the exhibit."

We have a lot of fun and educational field trips planned. Stayed tuned to learn more about what we discover about "green" jobs in Pittsburgh throughout the semester.