The Digital Lowdown

Greetings blogosphere!  My name is Elaisha Stokes, and I am the Schad Gallery of Biodiversity’s Creative Producer at the Royal Ontario Museum.  I create the videos that will appear in the Earth Rangers Studio, an interactive studio space for lectures, discussions and educational programs.

 

My job is a lot of fun. It combines my love of natural sciences and documentary filmmaking while keeping me on my toes! I've had lots of exciting experiences at the ROM, everything from handing real dinosaur bones in the photography studio, to having a live African Ball Python coiled around my neck thanks to Dr. Bob Murphy, the ROM's Senior Herpetologist.   It seems there’s never a dull moment.   Learn more about my adventures and current events in biodiversity news on our twitter account - follow us at: www.twitter.com/greenrom.

If you haven't visited the Museum recently, you're missing out.  The ROM is about to launch an exciting digital initiative, putting us at the forefront of interactive experiences in the world of museums.  In fact, in addition to the interactive Earth Rangers Studio, the Schad Gallery will feature over 150 videos on 12 screens, allowing guests to learn more about the science behind our natural history specimens.

I'll be posting some of my videos on this blog in the future.  In the meantime, what topics are you interested in learning more about at the ROM?  Are there any behind-the-scenes questions you've been dying to ask?  What animals are you most excited to see in the new Schad Gallery? I'm most excited about the awesome White Rhino!

-Elaisha Stokes, Producer, Schad Gallery of Biodiversity (documentary filmmaker and nature nut)

Welcome!

Hi, I'm Bep, the Coordinator of the Schad Gallery of Biodiversity at the ROM. We're excited to be sharing a personal, insider's look at the programs and other happenings inside the Schad Gallery. The gallery is technically still in the build stage, though a number of specimens and displays are ready for viewing. Here's a sneak peek at the Live Coral Reef Aquarium.... that's me feeding the fish, invertebrates and corals that live in our 550 gallon tank. There are over 100 different species living in this system! I am only one of the number of people taking care of the aquarium; we feed them seaweed, tiny shrimp and flake food, enough to keep all healthy and happy.

My job is pretty exciting. I get to help feed the fish and take care of the leaf cutter ants, but I'm also responsible for coordinating the programming that takes place inside the Earth Rangers Studio. The Earth Rangers studio is a dynamic and interactive programming space within the gallery, with seven high definition screens, designed to deliver the latest in biodiversity education and current events. I'll let my colleague Elaisha, the Producer, tell you more about that.

I look forward to keeping you posted on the gallery and our upcoming programming here. In the meantime, please leave your comments and let us know what you think!

- Bep, Coordinator, Schad Gallery of Biodiversity (science teacher and nature enthusiast)