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Polycom Video Conferencing Solutions Deliver Countown to Success in Schools National Space Centre

Polycom video conferencing solutions help launch schools Challenge To deliver a unique, National Curriculum- on a mission to increase awareness and understanding of linked classroom learning experience for space and consequently foster a long-term interest in children all over the UK mathematics, science and technology. Solution A 1 1/2-hour video conference space programme Pupils around the country are experiencing the excitement of space exploration from the comfort of their own classrooms thanks to Polycom video conferencing technology installed at the National Space Result Centre in . Using a live interactive video link to “Mission Control” at the National Space A 1 1/2-hour video conference space programme Centre, teachers can engage pupils at Key Stage 2 and 3 (11 to 14 year olds) with a one and a half hour called “Operation Montserrat” that engages, interests and educates pupils in the classrooms curriculum-linked space programme called “Operation Montserrat” which is based on the real-life in all aspects of space exploration while eruption on the island of Montserrat in the Caribbean in 1996. Apart from experiencing the power of engendering an interest in maths, physics video conferencing technology, often for the first time, pupils also benefit from exercises in team and geography building, decision-making and logistics and gain the opportunity to apply their knowledge of geography, maths and physics.

National Space Centre Education Manager, Chris Darby explains: “The National Space Centre was created to inspire and educate – a mission that remains at the core of everything we do today and in the future. We are very aware of the falling figures of children going on to study science and technology and are working with many partners to stem this trend. Our use of new technologies “Polycom has given us a allows us to widen our unique facilities all around the UK and even the world.” start-to-finish solution that encompasses all parties. School video conferencing links are enabled and managed by JANET (Joint Academic Network), We can now deliver a service that connects the UK’s education and research organisations to each other, as well as to educational content seamlessly the rest of the world, via the Internet. and efficiently to school Fostering an understanding of space classrooms as well as train the The National Space Centre exists to present the excitement of space in a way that captures and teachers and receive content inspires the imagination and promotes a wider understanding of space science and technology. Founded from America – all via through a partnership between the and Leicester City Council, the National video conferencing.” Space Centre uses a space-oriented, interactive learning environment to provide curriculum tailored Chris Darby educational materials for the training of pupils and their science teachers. Facilities include six interac- Education Manager tive galleries, more than 300 space related artefacts; including rockets, satellites, meteorites and National Space Centre Leicester, UK spacesuits, the UK’s largest planetarium and over 150 interactive elements, two rockets and a two and a half hour Challenger Learning Centre experience.

The Challenger Learning Centre is supported by the Challenger Learning Centre network established in the US after the Challenger shuttle explosion in 1986 in which all seven crew members, including a teacher, perished. Visitors to the Challenger Learning Centre work in a NASA-like “Mission Control” environment to perform experiments and experience simulated space activities over video and part- nered with Colorado’s Morgan Community College to offer college course work using the video systems.

Polycom Video Conferencing Solutions Deliver Countown to Success in Schools

An interactive space experience This, Darby points out, was both complex and Programmed for future success Operation Montserrat is the response by the time-consuming. If Operation Montserrat was The National Space Centre Education Team National Space Centre to deliver a “space experi- to run smoothly and seamlessly from start to also has plans to extend its video conferencing ence” to geographically remote schools via video finish, a solution needed to be found urgently. content with another programme from America conferencing technology. As Darby noted these Consequently, Darby and his team turned to the called “Space Station Alpha” that involves a “life schools are further than about one and a half to Centre’s video conferencing reseller, Direct Visual, in space” scenario where pupils have to evaluate two hours from Leicester. based in West Yorkshire. Direct Visual was quick space conditions and prepare for a predicted solar to make a recommendation. As the Centre was flare. Thanks to the Polycom video conferencing “We have two videoconferencing booths on site already committed to Polycom video conferencing links in the Rocket Tower, the space programmes that act as ‘Mission Control’ for Operation systems and equipment, Polycom’s PVX™ desktop can now be easily received, sampled, evaluated Montserrat,” Chris continues. “Once a school conferencing software application was the natu- and remodelled by the whole Space Team in the is linked up with our Polycom equipment, ral solution. classroom environment. our Mission Commander interacts with pupils in real-time to track the hurricane, predict Polycom’s PVX desktop conferencing software “The Polycom solution is performing smoothly volcanic activity and consider what evacuation application could be installed on a computer with throughout our operation – from the video confer- procedures to take.” a web cam in the Rocket Tower classroom in a encing booths to the classrooms, from the Rocket matter of minutes and an internal IP address Tower to the video conferencing booth – and from But as with any worthwhile endeavour, more goes created to link up with the Polycom systems in the Rocket Tower to the content provider in the on behind the scenes than meets the eye. Before the video conferencing booths. States. It has certainly saved us a lot of time and the programme can be experienced in the class- hassle. We are extremely impressed with room, the teachers need training. “It was surprisingly easy and efficient,” Darby Polycom,” Darby concludes. admits. “Once we get a booking for our training Bringing the teachers into the classroom classroom, it only takes minutes for one person About the UK Space Centre Training the teachers in the operation of the to switch it over to our video conferencing booth The award winning National Space Centre is equipment and the objectives of the programme to gain full video conferencing capability in the the UK’s largest attraction dedicated to space. would normally involve either the Space Centre Rocket Tower.” The Space Centre features exciting interactive team travelling to the school in question – or the exhibits including a futuristic Rocket Tower, teachers travelling to the Space Centre. In both Appreciating the Polycom effect that treat the public to hours of breathtaking scenarios, there was the problem of relocating Now, thanks to Polycom, the National Space discovery and interactive fun. For more a complex array of equipment from one location Centre is leveraging the power of video information please visit www.spacecentre.co.uk to another. conferencing in a start-to-finish service that or call 0116-261-0261. includes training the teachers as well as “The only facility that could handle teachers educating the pupils. And the National Space visiting the National Space Centre for training Centre is appreciating the difference already. was the purpose-built classroom in our Rocket With its equipment permanently intact, the Tower. However, this meant the Space Team video conferencing booths can continue to would have to disassemble the equipment operate as the control centres for Operation normally housed in the videoconferencing booths Montserrat for classrooms through the UK in another building on the site and reassemble with no interruptions. The Centre “launched” it in the Rocket Tower,” comments Darby. 125 Operation Montserrat missions last year, but is on course to achieve 200 this year.

Polycom’s PVX™ – The Polycom PVX personal video conferencing solution delivers business quality desktop video conferencing from the convenience of your PC. For your free trial please visit www.polycom.com/pvxtrial.

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Rev. 10/07