GLOUCESTER, Mass. — June 5, 2014 — The following was released by Maritime Gloucester:
Maritime Gloucester announced today a new interactive fisheries exhibit entitled “Think Tank,” thanks to a $25,000 technology grant from the Applied Materials Foundation, the philanthropic arm of Applied Materials, Inc. Applied Materials is the global leader in precision materials engineering solutions for the semiconductor, display, and solar industries, and Cape Ann, Massachusetts’s largest employer. The grant supports the acquisition of the new technology for Maritime Gloucester’s discovery center and educational facility.
With this generous gift, Maritime Gloucester has purchased a large, interactive, multi-touch table that is equipped with an integrated PC and supports animation, video, audio, photographic data and educational games. Community members, visitors and students will be able to play an interactive, animated game on the table in which they will seek to influence the size of a fishery population based on a variety of factors. The game is part of a new exhibit called “Think Tank” that is designed to welcome all to the table to have a conversation about the challenges one faces when managing fisheries.” The exhibit was developed by Maritime Gloucester staff, its science consultant Dr. Jennifer Bender-Ferre, and its educational partner FableVision, a Boston-based media and interactive development studio that specializes in story-based approaches to learning.
“The advanced technology this grant enables is a game changer for us,” noted executive director Thomas Balf. “It opens up new, exciting and interactive ways to engage audiences, present information and educate students and adults. It enhances our learning environment as a center for fun, highly engaging, and informative exhibits for anyone interested in maritime history and the future of our fisheries. We are grateful to Applied Materials and its Foundation in supporting this significant leap forward .”
The “Think Tank” exhibit opens on June 8th, World Oceans Day. Press and media are welcome to arrange for a visit to Maritime Gloucester which is open 7 days a week, 10:00 am to 6:00 pm.
View a PDF of the press release here