On Location in Hawaii - Day 2

Day 1 | Day 2 | Day 3 | Day 4 | Day 5

Behind the scenes with the JASON Project!
Oahu is Broadcast Central for the JASON XII Expedition. Media Arts are the people "behind the scenes." They bring it all together and send the TV signal to over 750,000 students located at 41 interactive theaters across the U.S., Sweden, Mexico, and Bermuda.

Broadcast Central receives three live transmissions from three remote locations (two on the island of Hawaii and one on Kauai). We met the team of about 20 very focused people who are in charge of choosing what picture and audio will be sent to all the interactive theaters. Broadcast Central is actually a large trailer filled with many monitors, laptops and recording devices.

The trailer is surrounded by several very large satellite dishes. Scott Munro, the director, guides and advises the Argonauts, scientists, and Dr. Ballard (who are all at different broadcast sites). He talks to them through their ear pieces. Mr. Munro tells them what's coming up and when they are "live".  If a microphone somehow falls off right in the middle of the broadcast, Mr. Munro calmly prompts another Argonaut to take over.

Broadcast Central is also where JASON's webmaster, Todd Viooa, complies data, project research, and photographs.  He then posts it all to the JASON web site. http://www.jasonproject.org

Homeschool.com's Junior Media Team, Randall Kanna, Kent Malama, and David Kochenderfer, inside Broadcast Central on Oahu. Click Here for Larger Photo

Why is the JASON project in Hawaii?
Hawaii is known for its awe-inspiring volcanoes, its unique terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems, and its rich cultural history. For JASON XII, Bob Ballard and a team of researchers and Argonauts are exploring this group of isolated islands.  These islands were shaped  by many years of volcanism, an offer one of the best representations of Earth's geologic and biologic forces.
Click Here for Larger Photo

This is the second time JASON has explored Hawaii. In 1995 JASON focused on the big island of Hawaii.  Hawaii is the home of Kilauea, the most active volcano on Earth. This year, JASON project organizers have broadened the scope to include all of Hawaii. Click Here for Larger Photo

Learn more at the JASON Project web site:
http://www.jasonproject.org

Tomorrow, join us as we hike to the "Little House on the Lava."
We'll have to watch out for hot lava and wear vibram-soled, heat and water resistant hiking boots to protect our feet from the heat.

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