OPERATION CLEAN DESERT

摘要

In order to gain a fresh perspective on information given to the public, as well as exploring newrnways to explain the highly technical and often times confusing world of EnvironmentalrnManagement at the Nevada Test Site, the U.S. Department of Energy Nevada Site OfficernEnvironmental Management public involvement group teamed up with Advanced TechnologiesrnAcademy High School in Las Vegas, Nevada through a grant to form the EnvironmentalrnManagement Student Forum.rnDuring the student’s first year, the students were tasked to come up with a concept for explainingrnEnvironmental Management activities occurring at the Nevada Test Site to children. Afterrnstudying Environmental Management projects the Forum decided to create a children’s displayrnwith a comic book theme called Operation Clean Desert. The goal of the display was to developrna communication tool that would be educational, interactive, and interesting to elementaryrnschool-aged children. Through the use of animation, interactive pieces, and bright colors, therncompleted display achieved all three goals.rnStudent Forum members were responsible for writing scripts, developing characters and creatingrnanimation for the display. After the scripts were prepared the text was then reviewed by U.S.rnDepartment of Energy Nevada Site Office scientists and project managers to ensure all topicsrnwere explained correctly and scientific information was not lost in the translation from technicalrnjargon to laymen’s terms. Dr. Proton and Adam the Atom were created as the main charactersrnthat would be used throughout the display. The animation was done in a comic book themerncalled anime, which is a popular style for interactive games as well as animated televisionrnprograms. Interactive elements on the display were developed including questions that requirernchildren to wear special glasses to decode answers and doors that reveal hidden messages andrnpictures. With the use of the above-mentioned features the display explains all aspects ofrnEnvironmental Management which include, Environmental Restoration, Waste Management,rnand Technology Development.rnEven though the main focus of the display was to explain current Environmental Managementrnactivities at the Nevada Test Site, secondary topics are also illustrated adding to the usefulnessrnand diversity of the display. These topics include, but are not limited to, the history of thernNevada Test Site, science of radiation and career opportunities ranging from communications tornscience.In this era of advanced information, children are exposed to a large number of topics they mightrnhave questions regarding and do not fully understand. The U.S. Department of Energy NevadarnSite Office's Clean Desert display is the perfect tool to help answer some questions childrenrnmight have concerning a site that served as a nuclear testing area during the Cold War and isrncurrently active in our country’s environmental and defense missions.