AOSS Poster Session Aims to Create Collaboration
“The vertical nature of the AOSS Building, the way the relatively small floors are stacked up on top of one another, makes it difficult for researchers and scientists to just run into one another in the hallway. It’s very easy to stay on one floor, maybe get to the Break Room, and then just go back to the same floor,” says Claire Pettersen, the organizer of the Third Annual AOSS Community Poster Reception.
“Until you get this kind of display event, in one place, at one time, letting everyone see what everyone is doing,” Pettersen says, “it’s easy to forget how much great work is going on in the building.”
Held on 16 April 2013 in the Varsity Room of Union South, the Poster Session was a free event,
showcasing the “innovative science, engineering, educational outreach, and other projects happening in the Atmospheric, Oceanic, and Space Sciences Building.” Undergraduate and graduate students were particularly encouraged to submit posters detailing their work, with cash prizes being awarded for the best in each category.
In addition to sampling snacks and refreshments, over 250 attendees strolled down the rows of posters, talking with researchers about their presented projects, and, just as importantly, discussing and comparing notes among themselves. Nearly a hundred posters were on display.
Jon Martin (left) delivered opening remarks, followed by Tom Achtor.
Jon Martin, Director of the AOS Department, delivered opening remarks, urging everyone to “talk to the authors. This is a great way to get exposed to the ideas happening in the Center.”
Tom Achtor, Executive Director for Science at SSEC, followed Dr. Martin’s remarks, saying, “We have so much unique, exciting, innovative research in the building. I want to thank Claire and the other organizers for their hard work and great job.”
In addition to the posters there were hands-on displays, including the Ice Drilling and Design Operations’ big block of ice and a hand-held coring drill.
Dave Parker gave demonstrations of the Web Mapping Server (WMS). Though still under development, the WMS collates all current feeds of the Data Center, processes them, and makes them available to a wide array of users. “This will work on dumb phones, smart phones, low bandwidth, GoogleEarth,” Parker says. “Scientists send the product once and it is then available for many outputs.”
Graduate student Pei Wang won top honors for her poster: “Improve Hurricane Sandy Forecasts with Hyperspectral Infrared Sounding data.” Undergraduate James Kralj won for presenting “Changes in Lake Michigan’s Ecology by Quagga Mussels.”
Pettersen is thrilled to see that the AOSS Poster Session has become an eagerly anticipated annual event. “This takes a lot of work, and I want to thank everyone who helped in the planning and execution. I want to thank the Directors for their support and encouragement.”
She had to speak up to make herself heard over the many conversations filling the Hall. “If one or two new collaborations happen because of this event…then it’s worth it.”
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