SL Video: Pookymedia's Second "Vector Inspectors" Video

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In 2012, Pooky Amsterdam's Pookymedia did a video to help educate young viewers on how to help fight the Asian Tiger Mosquito, "Vector Inspectors." Recently, they did another, "Vector Inspector Program Assembly Video." 

Pooky would explain in her blog, "In April of 2012 PookyMedia finished a video for the San Gabriel Vector & Control District which would be presented at schools in the San Gabriel Valley grades K-8, in conjunction with a scientific study. They needed to find out the scope of Asian Tiger Mosquito infiltration in the Valley, and they needed school kids to collect samples of trapped water around their homes for research.  PookyMedia created this gem of a Call to Action, which was SO successful that almost a decade later, not only is the film still being shown, but we just had to update the film, as new invasive species have been identified.

"So once again the Vector Inspectors will help eradicate mosquitos and the diseases they transfer, by getting rid of standing water around homes and giving samples for this ongoing study. The film has been shown to tens of thousands of schoolchildren, and it works! Even if one person avoided getting Dengue Fever, Zika or any of the other viruses these species of Aedes mosquitos carry it will be a triumph, but this has helped thousands of children and their families stay safe. And this new film will help thousands more!  

"Machinima Can save lives!  It's a great video and we encourage you to take a look at the newer version here with an introduction by real professionals!"
   

Announcement: This Saturday at The Science Circle - Cyber Security

 

"Cyber Security"

Saturday Novemeber 7

10 AM to 11 AM SL time

This presentation discusses, as an example of what can be done across the Nation, California’s progress in developing comprehensive career pathways to a variety of Cybersecurity jobs in order to fill existing and future unfilled positions. Global demand for information security professionals has been growing exponentially and has reached a critical point. It is imperative; therefore, that we build a workforce of qualified cybersecurity specialists and trained users (including technicians and managers).

We need coordinated and linked education, training, and workforce development programs in order to fill that demand.

Thus, California is developing a framework for the design, development, and implementation of a California Cybersecurity Career Education Pipeline and Pathway Project (CCCEPPP) to prepare 50,000 entry-level cybersecurity professionals in California from 2020-2030 and reduce current/future state workforce capability skills/gaps.

In order to maximize efficiency and meet diverse key stakeholder needs, California seeks innovative ways to balance the academic and professional demands of cybersecurity programs to achieve enhanced student access to quality, cost-efficient and available cyber-security programs statewide.

The California Cybersecurity Workforce Development and Education Strategy has 15 recommendations to lay out a framework, blueprint, and structure for the design, development, and implementation of a California Cybersecurity Career Education Pipeline and Pathway and additional educational toolkits to serve statewide cybersecurity workforce development and education in “high need” essential workforce areas and sectors at all levels of education and training (K-12, Associates, Bachelors, Graduate, Professional Cortication/Training). Model curriculum, extra-curricular activities, cyber-competitions, professional and career development, and a host of related issues are included.

A presentation by Myron Curtis

For more information, Click Here.

http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/The%20Science%20Circle/67/129/32

Announcement: This Friday and Saturday at The Science Circle - "Global Fires"

"Global Fires"

Saturday March 28

10 AM to 11 AM SL time

Host: Mathew Burr

For more information: Click Here

https://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/The%20Science%20Circle/122/137/3002

Real-Life News: Southern California Hit By Two Earthquakes

Twice in two days, California was hit by two strong earthquakes. On Thursday July 4, a 6.4 quake hit near the town of Ridgecrest, a town about 150 miles northeast of Los Angeles. This was followed by a more powerful quake, a 7.1, also near Ridgecrest but about ten miles away.There are numerous reports of fires and minor injuries. But no one seems to have been seriously hurt so far.

The second earthquake was felt as far away as Los Angeles and Las Vegas Nevada, and was the strongest in the state in about twenty years. There have been a total of 2000 aftershocks of both quakes. Ridgecrest has about 29,000 residents and is near the Naval Air Weapons China Lake facility, which has been closed pending inspections.

The events were the subject of numerous talk and discussion in Second Life groups and SL Discord servers, from concerns that the virtual world might be disrupted to well-wishes to residents in California.

Sources: BBC, CNN, Fox

A Visit to East Gallery

Gemma Cleanslate recently dropped by Studio 33 at East Gallery. She was impressed with what she found, a large variety of artwork, of both photographs of picturesque real-life scenes and vivid graphic arts. She also learned a little about a few of the artists.

Read Gemma's article in Design.

Virtual Hallucinations

Gentle Heron recently gave a few tours of a virtual facility called "Virtual Hallucinations," an exhibition designed to teach residents about Schizophrenia. With it's voices, the exhibit was unique and informative. But some might find it a little too disturbing to experience.

Read more in Places.

SL Machinima: "Vector Inspectors" by Pookymedia

Pooky Amsterdam recently created a machinima in Second Life, with Rusell Boyd directing, to educate students in Southern California about a program to help combat the Asian Tiger mosquito, "Vector Inspectors."




"We have just finished working on a project which is our first Public Service Announcement (PSA) for the San Gabriel Valley Mosquito Vector Control District. This video will be shown in school auditoriums to help kids learn what they need to do to keep their home areas safe from the invasive Asian Tiger Mosquito. These school children will also be given sample kits to collect samples of water from around their home areas, which will help determine the extent of the mosquitoes' breeding.

This mosquito has been seen in Southern California since last September and while not indigenous to the area, if allowed to establish, they could potentially spread disease and be a game changer for lifestyle there. They transmit a number of dangerous human diseases as well as dog heartworm. This is a community issue that requires community level support and participation.

PookyMedia was given the task of creating a film to be shown in schools and using real-time animation, or machinima, we were able to give life to the characters, personalities and really show what kids will be required to do to help and participate in this important scientific study. It will also illustrate how to keep their home areas safe as well. We added music that would inspire and with the great unlimited creativity of Second Life and its creators, along with our PookyMedia team, have created a video that will hopefully teach and help eradicate this real and present threat to the great state of California.

I have relatives and friends who live in Southern California so this was brought especially home to me. I am very very proud that our work will be a help to public health and safety for this nation. We share it with you and if you are in the Southern California area, now you know what to do - get rid of the standing water anywhere around your home!"

Source: Pooky Amsterdam's Blog