Update on Cistern GUI and Intro to Teaching Module

Here is an update on the 3D data visualization project! I have been working on fixing the lighting, and I also added functionality to select between the different cistern models. Available models are: M'dina Cathedral Sacristy, Case Cutietta, House Ta'anna, and Convento Dei Cappuccinni.

Here is a live link: http://users.csc.calpoly.edu/~zwood/ICEX/Cistern/shading.html but it does not include the updated lighting code as of now. It will be updated soon!

If you have Safari and the link says “Could not initialize WebGL” refer to the following steps:

1. In Safari, open the Safari menu and select Preferences.

2. Then, click the Advanced tab in the Preferences window.

3. Then, at the bottom of the window, check the Show Develop menu in menu bar checkbox.

4. Then, open the Develop menu in the menu bar and select Enable WebGL.

Here are some screen shots:

M'dina Cathedral Sacristy

M'dina Cathedral Sacristy

House Dar Ta'anna

Convento Dei Cappuccinni

Case Cutietta

Case Cutietta

I have added functionality to remove the water, the textures, and the lighting as desired by the user. My next task is to add an overview of Malta, and allow the user to see the overview of the location of the different cisterns, and then be able to select which one they want to view. I am very excited to get started on this project and I look forward to sharing the results! This is going to be my final project for our graphics class.

Amanda and I are working to develop a teaching module that relates to the history of water in Malta, and explains the importance of water conservation and various conservation techniques. We have created two activities that will be part of our two, 45-minute lesson plans.

The first activity is called Clothesline Timeline of Malta’s History with Emphasis on Water and Society. The students will be given a few paragraphs on different topics about Malta's history. A few of the topics include the Knight's of St. John, French occupation, and World War II. We talk about the history as well as more recent water events. The students will then summarize the topic with a few sentences and pictures on a piece of paper, including the name and date of the event. These papers will be put together on a clothesline or string with clips attaching the papers in the order the events occurred. The students will then introduce the topic they read to the entire class so everyone can learn about all the different topics.

The second activity is called the The Effect of Water Scarcity in Malta. Students will be divided into groups, which will be called “neighborhoods.” In each neighborhood, the students will have a set amount of paper water droplets representing their water supplies. The students will be given a sheet which allows them to select how often they use water (from showering, gardening, etc). They will then have to calculate how much water they use per day and determine if between their neighborhood they will have enough water in their supply. Since the activity focuses on Malta, water shortages will be faced. The students will have to brainstorm different water conservation techniques as well as different water collection techniques. The students will have a follow up homework assignment that provides data from water usage and consumption in Malta.

The learning objectives for this activity are as follows:
1. Further students understanding of water scarcity in Malta
2. Help students realize the importance of water preservation
3. Understand the effect of personal actions with relation to the water supply

Andrew is going to make a graphical model of this activity as part of his final graphics project, so we are hoping to add this as an optional online or take-home activity for the students.

Our activities will be combined with homework assignments and descriptions for the teachers. This teaching module is part of our final project for our global engineering course. Amanda and I are excited to continue our external research and learn more about Malta as we get further and further along with our project.

-Vanessa