Tangible interactive microbiology for informal science education

Seung Ah Lee, Alice M. Chung, Nate Cira, Ingmar H. Riedel-Kruse

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingConference contribution

21 Scopus citations

Abstract

We present an interactive platform that enables human users to interface with microbiological living cells through a touch-screen, thereby generating a tangible interactive experience with the microscopic world that is hidden to most people. Euglena gracilis, single-celled phototactic microorganisms, are imaged and optically stimulated via a microscope setup equipped with a projector and a touchscreen display. Users can directly interact with these organisms by drawing patterns onto the screen, which displays the real-time magnified view of the microfluidic chamber with the motile euglena cells. The drawings are directly projected onto the chamber, thereby influencing the swimming motion of the cells. We discuss the architecture of the system and provide exploratory user testing results in a facilitated setting, which shows engaging nature of our system for children and the general public. In conclusion, our tangible interactive microscope allows artistic expression and scientific exploration with the ease of "child's play".

Original languageEnglish (US)
Title of host publicationTEI 2015 - Proceedings of the 9th International Conference on Tangible, Embedded, and Embodied Interaction
PublisherAssociation for Computing Machinery, Inc
Pages273-280
Number of pages8
ISBN (Electronic)9781450333054
DOIs
StatePublished - Jan 15 2015
Externally publishedYes
Event9th International Conference on Tangible, Embedded, and Embodied Interaction, TEI 2015 - Stanford, United States
Duration: Jan 15 2015Jan 19 2015

Publication series

NameTEI 2015 - Proceedings of the 9th International Conference on Tangible, Embedded, and Embodied Interaction

Conference

Conference9th International Conference on Tangible, Embedded, and Embodied Interaction, TEI 2015
Country/TerritoryUnited States
CityStanford
Period1/15/151/19/15

Keywords

  • Biotic games
  • Biotic processing unit
  • Interactive biology
  • Tangible interactive microbiology
  • Tangible microscope

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Human-Computer Interaction
  • Software

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Tangible interactive microbiology for informal science education'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this