## From Classroom to Curator: How a Northeastern Student Wired a Museum Exhibit
Ever wonder how social media connects us, or how traffic patterns ebb and flow through a city? It’s all thanks to the invisible language of networks, a complex web of relationships and interactions that shape our world. Now, thanks to one ambitious Northeastern student, the magic of network science is coming to life at the Museum of Science in Boston.
The Impact of Interdisciplinary Collaboration
The partnership between the Network Science Institute and the Museum of Science in Boston is a prime example of the power of interdisciplinary collaboration. By combining the expertise of network scientists, artists, and designers, the team was able to create an exhibit that not only showcases the basics of network science but also inspires future generations to explore the field.
Fostering Innovation: How the partnership promotes creative problem-solving
The collaboration between the Network Science Institute and the Museum of Science demonstrates how interdisciplinary partnerships can foster innovation and creative problem-solving. By bringing together experts from different fields, the team was able to approach the exhibit from multiple angles and come up with novel solutions to complex problems.
For instance, Adina Gitomer, a doctoral student in network science at Northeastern University, conceptualized and voiced over a video exhibit on networks for the Museum of Science. She worked closely with Pedro Cruz, an associate professor in the Art + Design department at Northeastern, to translate her models into visual form. Cruz’s expertise in visualizing complex data helped to create an engaging and interactive experience for visitors.
Building Bridges between Disciplines: The benefits of collaboration between art, design, and network science
The exhibit’s success is a testament to the benefits of collaboration between art, design, and network science. By combining the creative and technical expertise of the team, they were able to create an exhibit that is both informative and engaging.
Gitomer notes that she wanted to show how something spreads through a network in an approachable way. She took real-world data from Twitch, a gaming platform, about its network of users in Portugal and modeled two scenarios of how a piece of information — a gaming hack, for example — can spread through the network. Cruz’s visualizations helped to bring these models to life, making them accessible to a wider audience.
Inspiring Future Generations: The exhibit’s potential to spark interest in network science among students and visitors
The exhibit’s potential to inspire future generations is one of its most significant impacts. By showcasing the practical applications of network science, the team hopes to encourage students and visitors to explore the field and develop their skills in this area.
As Gitomer notes, “I took the idea and ran with it. I reached out to the museum and offered my help. Today, visitors to the Museum of Science can hear my voice narrating a video presentation that plays on a massive semi-circular screen over 20 feet in diameter.” The exhibit’s success is a testament to the power of interdisciplinary collaboration and the potential for network science to inspire future generations.
Behind the Scenes: Bringing the Exhibit to Life
Bringing the exhibit to life was not without its challenges. The team faced numerous technical issues, from data visualization to programming, but they persevered and learned valuable lessons along the way.
Overcoming Challenges: The team’s experiences with data visualization, programming, and technical issues
The team encountered several technical issues during the development process, including data visualization and programming challenges. However, they persevered and found creative solutions to overcome these obstacles.
Gitomer notes that she wanted to show how something spreads through a network in an approachable way. She took real-world data from Twitch, a gaming platform, about its network of users in Portugal and modeled two scenarios of how a piece of information — a gaming hack, for example — can spread through the network. However, she faced challenges in visualizing these models, which required her to work closely with Cruz.
Lessons Learned: Takeaways from the collaboration and exhibit development process
The team learned several valuable lessons during the collaboration and exhibit development process. These lessons include the importance of perseverance, creative problem-solving, and effective communication.
As Gitomer notes, “I basically went in and found which node [or user] we should start from if we want the propagation to take as long as possible to completely infect the whole network versus [which node we should start from] for that to happen as quickly as possible.” This approach required her to work closely with Cruz, who helped her to visualize these models in an engaging and interactive way.
The Power of Persistence: Gitomer’s determination and the importance of perseverance in bringing the exhibit to life
Gitomer’s determination and perseverance were crucial in bringing the exhibit to life. Despite facing numerous technical issues and challenges, she remained committed to her vision and worked tirelessly to overcome these obstacles.
Her perseverance paid off, and the exhibit was a huge success. As she notes, “I took the idea and ran with it. I reached out to the museum and offered my help. Today, visitors to the Museum of Science can hear my voice narrating a video presentation that plays on a massive semi-circular screen over 20 feet in diameter.” The exhibit’s success is a testament to the power of persistence and determination.
Implications and Future Directions
The exhibit’s success has significant implications for the field of network science. It demonstrates the practical applications of network science and showcases the potential for interdisciplinary collaboration to inspire future generations.
Network Science in Action: How the exhibit showcases the practical applications of network science
The exhibit showcases the practical applications of network science in a unique and engaging way. By using real-world data from Twitch, a gaming platform, about its network of users in Portugal, the team was able to model two scenarios of how a piece of information — a gaming hack, for example — can spread through the network.
This approach demonstrates the potential for network science to inform real-world problems, such as the spread of ideas, infections, or internet memes. The exhibit’s success is a testament to the power of network science to inspire future generations and inform real-world problems.
Expanding the Reach: Potential for the exhibit to inspire new collaborations and network science initiatives
The exhibit’s success has the potential to inspire new collaborations and network science initiatives. By showcasing the practical applications of network science, the team hopes to encourage students and visitors to explore the field and develop their skills in this area.
As Gitomer notes, “I took the idea and ran with it. I reached out to the museum and offered my help. Today, visitors to the Museum of Science can hear my voice narrating a video presentation that plays on a massive semi-circular screen over 20 feet in diameter.” The exhibit’s success is a testament to the power of interdisciplinary collaboration and the potential for network science to inspire future generations.
The Future of Network Science: How the exhibit contributes to the growing field and encourages new research directions
The exhibit’s success contributes to the growing field of network science and encourages new research directions. By showcasing the practical applications of network science, the team hopes to inspire future generations to explore the field and develop their skills in this area.
As Cruz notes, “I try to make use of metaphors in order to add more layers of communication to the data.” This approach demonstrates the potential for network science to inform real-world problems and inspire new research directions.
Conclusion
Conclusion: Revolutionizing the Understanding of Network Science
As we conclude our story of how a Northeastern student spearheaded a new exhibit on network science at the Museum of Science in Boston, we are left with a profound understanding of the transformative power of interdisciplinary collaboration and innovation. Through the tireless efforts of our protagonist, we witnessed the creation of an immersive exhibit that not only showcases the intricate world of network science but also fosters a deeper appreciation for the interconnectedness of our modern world. By bringing together concepts from computer science, sociology, and physics, this exhibit has redefined the boundaries of what is possible in science outreach and education.
The significance of this achievement extends far beyond the Boston museum scene, highlighting the critical role that students and young professionals can play in shaping the future of science and technology. By empowering the next generation of innovators and thinkers, we can ensure that the rapid advancements in network science and related fields continue to benefit society as a whole. As we move forward, it is essential that we continue to invest in programs that foster collaboration, creativity, and critical thinking, and that we recognize the boundless potential of our young minds to drive positive change.
As we reflect on this remarkable story, we are reminded that the true power of innovation lies not in the technology itself, but in the connections it fosters and the possibilities it unlocks. As we look to the future, we can expect network science to continue to play a vital role in shaping the world we live in, from the way we communicate to the way we tackle complex global challenges. The question is, what will be the next breakthrough? What will be the next exhibit that inspires a new generation of thinkers and innovators? The possibilities are endless, and it is up to us to seize them.