UC s Galapagos Project in Second Life Opens Up New Worlds Through a Virtual One

The University of Cincinnati’s Second Life Learning Community Second Life Ambassador, Chris Collins, and Darwin Sesquicentennial Committee Chair, Ron Millard, were interviewed by “REAL BIZ in SL.”

The show gives those who don't have access to Second Life on their computers yet a unique opportunity to see what the excitement is all about.

The interviewer was in Alaska, the interviewees were in Cincinnati, but all the action took place in the virtual Galapagos Archipelago, created by the University of Cincinnati (UC) as part of the year-long celebration of the bicentennial of Darwin’s birth and the sesquicentennial of Darwin's On the Origin of Species.

UC’s work in Second Life (SL), an Internet-based virtual world developed by Linden Lab, has already gained national acclaim. Under the direction of UCit’s Chris Collins, Second Life Learning Community Second Life Ambassador (Second Life name: Fleep Tuque), UC has created a virtual Galapagos Islands.

“Right now visits to the Island are by invitation only,” Collins explains. “But by January, we plan to be able to open it up to the world to explore the Galapagos and retrace the voyage of the HMS Beagle.”

In SL lingo, the Galapagos Project takes up four “sims” — squares of real estate, so to speak — so the project is not a small undertaking. But that’s part of the value of having the Second Life version for students to experience.

“When faculty are teaching students, I think it’s sometimes hard to get a sense of scale,” says Collins. “It’s our hope that students get immersed in the science through Second Life.”

In addition to the vastness of the islands themselves, the painstaking attention to accuracy of detail is incredible.

"I was admittedly a bit skeptical when I first heard of doing it,” says Ken Petren, associate professor in the Department of Biological Sciences.

Petren’s areas of expertise are Darwin’s finches and geckos, which he has studied during his many trips to the Galapagos. But under Petren’s guidance, and with the assistance of his photographs, student Greg Mefford (SL name: Fergo Pickles) has created some models that Petren has deemed “impressive.”

Beyond the value to the world’s educators and students who perhaps cannot afford a trip to the Galapagos Islands, there is a value to the Galapagos Islands themselves, says Ron Millard, chair of UC’s Darwin Sesquicentennial Celebration Committee (SL name: Darwin Aristocrat).

"What better way to demonstrate our commitment to science literacy?” asks Millard. “We are opening up worlds of scientific discovery to new generations of young scientists and researchers yet diminishing the human and ecological impact.”

Don’t have Second Life on your computer? No need! Watch the "REAL BIZ in SL" interview archived here!

About the Darwin Sesquicentennial — Evolution: Evidence & Impact
Throughout our year-long celebration of the bicentennial of Darwin’s birth and the sesquicentennial anniversary of the publication of Darwin's On the Origin of Species, we hope to communicate the many contemporary applications of

• Darwin’s theory of evolution by common descent, 
• the breadth of Darwin’s research and its ramifications, 
• the truth of Darwin’s work as a cornerstone of modern science and 
• the multiple applications of evolutionary theory throughout UC research.

About Second Life
Open to the public since 2003, Second Life (SL) is an Internet-based virtual world that came to international attention through mainstream news media in late 2006 and early 2007. Developed by Linden Lab, a downloadable client program enables its users, called “residents,” to interact with each other through motional “avatars.” Through their avatars, residents can explore, meet other residents, socialize, participate in individual and group activities, and create and trade items (virtual property) and services from one another.

About REAL BIZ in SL
Real companies, virtual worlds... “REAL BIZ in SL” is an SLCN.tv show entirely filmed in Second Life. REAL BIZ profiles a different real world company every Monday (2 p.m. SLT/5 p.m. EST). Watch the show live from Athena Isle. And join the REAL BIZ in SL group!

Other News About UC and Second Life

11/26/2007   Through ‘Second Life,’ UC Profs Hold Virtual Barn Dance

More UC Darwin Sesquicentennial News

10/16/2008   Chronicle of Higher Ed's WiredCampus: Darwin's Famous Journey Is Recreated in Second Life

10/1/2008   Charles C. Mann Discusses His Book, '1491: New Revelations of the Americas before Columbus'

9/15/2008   EduCause: UC's Virtual Galapagos Makes a Big Splash in Second Life

9/7/2008   Clarence Darrow — Crimes, Causes and the Courtroom
Clarence Darrow talks about the Scopes 'Monkey Trial' at CCM on Sept. 17.