ECI Binder

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EAA Exhibit Themes

EAA Key Message - Supportive Subjects

Exhibit Ideas/Visitor Experiences

2.2 Best water conservation practices Water quality depends upon water quantity [Note: EAA and VSR need to discuss this diorama for better understanding]

a. EAA high touch-low tech exhibit idea: create an interactive watershed map/diorama that shows people living in various situations over the aquifer. Visitors will interact with STEAM-based levers and gears to illustrate conservation and protection. For example, various interactive elements can illustrate water quality and quantity learning points; • An actual sink handle that is turned to show the effects of turning off water while brushing your teeth-action needs to have an effect that is visible to the user. • Pulling a paint can opener dumps paint into a water main—and the impact is immediately shown to the user. a. Non-point source pollutant maze (physical board vs. digital projection) b. Interactive touch table or panel whereby visitors can remove specific items from scene and see the beneficial results c. Smart table that shows impact of substance when added to the table; RFID tag in bottom of oil can; paint can; dog poop; other d. Video: Demonstrate the various ways water and contaminants enter the aquifer. Consider using the existing demonstration model; change narrator to be a young person(s). EAA YouTube Media Reference: “How the Edwards Aquifer Works” (Demonstration model) Brent Doty, our Senior Education Coordinator, presents the Edwards Aquifer 3D Groundwater Model, d. Hands-on unit to see comparison of permeable vs. impermeable by letting water flow on each in sealed unit. a. Close-up station with video microscope to examine water creatures from the benthic zone; supporting graphics about the signs of healthy waters. b. Live aquarium tanks for endangered species c. Physical mounts that show lifecycle stages of certain aquatic insects d. Electronic unit that shows three stage life-cycle dissolving from one stage to the next using “Pepper’s Ghost” technique

MESSAGE 3: PROTECT – THE EDWARDS AQUIFER SYSTEM

3.1 Water quality is just as important as water quantity; the aquifer needs protection from contamination; my actions matter 3.2 Keeping the aquifer safe from: abandoned wells, spills, non-point source pollution of stormwater, agricultural contaminants; underground storage tanks

3.3 Endangered species are the indicator species of aquifer health. Aquatic microinvertebrates (damselfly nymph; hellgrammites);

3.4 EAA Messaging

a. Splash graphics of people in action to encourage STEM and exciting careers b. What EAA does for the community/state c. Promo for the future EQ Field Research Observatory

VISITOR RESPONSE

• My behavior matters: my daily water use choices impact aquifer health

a. Talk-back wall

VISITOR GUIDES - REMOTE

• Talk to an expert • Take a personal tour with your own curator or language specialist

b. Telepresence robot offer visitors active engagement with an EAA engineer or content specialist

EXTERIOR: Note, exterior exhibits not a part of this phase

• Include conservation measures such as xeriscaping and gardening practices that the visitor can useat home, including berm and swale and demonstration areas/plots

a. Demonstration xeriscaping with garden beds; bioswale;

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• Endangered Species are the indicator species of aquifer health

b. Endangered Species graphics on porch c. Invader graphics; possible ‘whizz wheel”;

PROGRAMMING VSR V1 DRAFT !

• Invasive plants and animals are devastating to the environment • Removing invasive non-native plants (e.g. Chinaberry Tree) and animals (e.g. Fire Ants) from the land is important because of shade, toxicity, and water demand

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