Attenborough and Augmented Reality

Attenborough and Augmented Reality

David's Dinosaurs Now on Show at the Natural History Museum!

Science in the News by Heather McGee-Parkin

The ever comforting and stalwart image of David Attenborough graces the screen, temporarily lulling the viewer into complicity behind the touch screen computers as they watch the Natural History Museum's new Interactive ?lm Who Do You Think You Really Are? That is, before the dinosaur bolts across the stage.

The Attenborough Studios at the Natural History Museum create a unique interactive learning opportunity, allowing visitors to come into contact with some of the scientists that work at the museum and learn more about the natural wonders of the world.

"We are passionate about inspiring further study of science and bringing science alive for teachers and students," said Dr Honor Gay, Head of Learning at the Natural History Museum.

Gay explained, "Who Do You Think You Really Are? has been developed as part of the museum's commitment to secondary science and allows us to support what can be a challenging concept to teach in a vivid and compelling way."

The team at Attenborough Studios use high tech handsets with fancy computer generated images to create a unique life-like time machine as one gazes through the 'windows into the past'.

Attenborough explains that the purpose behind the show is to take the viewer on an experiential journey, to see who they are and where they come from.

Becoming part of the experience allows one to examine some of the evidence of human evolution along the way. Looking through at the screen at the small extinct hominoid that lived over 3 million years ago is as uncanny as it is mesmerising.

To learn more about what's been happening at the Natural History Museum or if you would like to see a sample of the clip go to:

http://www.nhm.ac.uk/visit-us/darwin-centre-visitors/attenborough-studio/interactive-?lm/index.html