Continued Collaboration Between Oberlin, Great Lakes Science Center, on Environmental Dashboard

In the summer of 2018, Oberlin College was awarded a $120,000 grant from the Cleveland Foundation to implement Environmental Dashboard technology at the Great Lakes Science Center (GLSC) and to incorporate real-time energy usage data from the Cleveland metro region. On October 11, 2019, interactive components of the Environmental Dashboard exhibit went live in the lobby of Great Lakes Science Center.

The interactive exhibit now contains a large mural and two screens. One screen features environmental and community action from partner organizations, and the other display integrates real-time data on resource use in the Science Center, along with air and lake water quality.

The project team involves students who are enrolled in Paul Sears Professor of Environmental Studies and Biology John Petersen’s Practicum in Environmental Communications class. The team also plans to launch a publicly accessible website and app that will make it possible for any individual to visit and interact with the dashboard screens.

This year, funding for the project was again provided by the Cleveland Foundation through a $50,000 grant awarded in August 2019.