The Interactive Media Science Project at Florida State University was contracted by the Department of Environmental Protection to develop its exciting new Interactive Aquatic Resources Education Program called "EcoVenturesTM: Learning in Florida's Environment. "

The Program has four major independent but interrelated components. The first componet is available in either of two formats: A CD-ROM or videodisc. The videodisc vesion is a Level III, highly interactive program designed for use with a Macintosh computer (System 7 or higher and 4 megs of RAM) and a videodisc player (Pioneer or Sony) connected to a monitor or television. The CD-ROM is a hybrid running on either a Mac or Windows computers.

The second component, a student text, describes Florida's aquatic ecosystem, its relationship to other ecosystems, and ecosystem management problems that affect the state's citizens. The text is accurate, highly readable, and well illustrated with Florida examples. It challenges students to study environmental issues and then become involved in resolving them.

The third component is a Field Guide. As students interact with the program they play the role of Park Rangers. As such, they must conduct research and the Field Notebook is were they organize their data and record their interpretations.

The fourth component, the laboratory manual, contains hands-on, minds-on-activities designed for use in conjunction with the videodisc and the text. The labs were developed and field tested by middle school teachers and require common, readily available materials.

By combining the visual beauty of thousands of images from the videodisc and the processing power of the computer, students can enter a fictional world to help solve realistic environmental problems which affect aquatic resources. Program users become part of the EcoVentures Team, a group of young people who work beside the Department of Environmental Protection's technical staff to develop a management plan for the fictional R. U. Green State Park. The 11,520 hectare park was donated to the state and includes parts of Fishee River, Snapper Bay, and Chickee Island. Several hectares of watershed are also part of the park ecosystem, located in the Woodlands Subsite.

Short video clips introduce the fictional context for the disc and the environmental issues found in and around R. U. Green State Park. Video clips describe the research activities at various subsites and raise questions for the students to investigate. Students are challenged to learn all they can about the environment at each subsite before they begin the student-directed investigation, or EcoVentures at that subsite. Video is also used in a virtual glossary, the Field Guides (a visual file of over 600 organisms), the EcoTours (a visual multilayered trip through the ecosystem at that subsite) and the EcoVentures. The user can instantly access these visuals from the computer.

Subsites on the Marine side are Fishee Bay and Chickee Island; Fishee River and the Woodlands are on the River side of the videodisc. Students use a mouse to click on parts of the computer screen, accessing images of plants, animals, or human activities. These images are shown on the TV monitor while the computer screen displays text description. Students who take the EcoTours are better able to solve the problems associated with that subsite.

Three or four EcoVentures are available at each subsite (15 total). Graphic screens display overhead perspectives of the unique area of the park.

From the Menu Bar, students can access Questions, which they may consider as they proceed through the program. The scope of questions narrows with each level of interactivity. For example,
on the introductory Marine side questions are broad and require reflection about the marine ecosystem. At the subsite level, questions pertain to issues at that subsite and provide guidance for the EcoVentures.

These questions are repeated, and additional questions posed, in the Field Notebook. Students use data from the EcoVentures to prepare management recommendations to the Department of Environmental Protection for the fictional R. U. Green State Park.

Consultants are available to help students with their research. Users can select from a list of questions and get video responses from scientists. The question and responses are carefully formulated to help students solve broader research problems without providing all the answers. Career information is presented for each consultant as a "Bio". To give students the experience of working as scientists, management tools including rulers, overlay maps, water testing equipment, microscopes, and other materials are available on screen where appropriate. Students can use these tools to assist in data collection.

This exciting program is possible because of Florida's anglers and boaters. Anglers and boaters are responsible for payment of federal fishing tackle excise taxes, motorboat fuel taxes, and import duties on tackle and boats. The U. S. Department of the Interior, Fish and Wildlife Service makes this money available through the Federal Aid in Sport Fish Restoration Grants Program. A portion of the state's fishing license revenues are also allocated for the EcoVentures program.

Please take a moment to view the EcoVentures interactive website by clicking here.

To purchase the program or to ask specific questions about the design or development issues please contact either of the Co-Developers listed below or use the order form found with the link to the interactive web site.

Professor George Dawson
Science Education
Florida State University
Tallahassee, Florida 32306-4490

Voice 850-644-8422
Fax 850-644-7806
gdawson@garnet.acns.fsu.edu

Dr. David LaHart
Institute of Science and Public Affairs
C2200 University Center
Florida State University
Tallahassee, Florida 32306
32306-2641

850-644-0707
dlahart@admin.fsu.edu