This project aimed to develop an animation about stem cell technology through collaboration between schools of biomedical science and creative arts. Students created 3D visualizations explaining stem cell concepts and one student produced a Second Life animation on stem cell transplants. Science students evaluated the animations, finding the visuals informative but some requiring more detail. The collaboration was valued by staff and students and provided a foundation for future inter-faculty work and grant applications visualizing biological processes.

1. Development of a Stem Cell Technology Animation: A collaborative project between the School of Biomedical Science and the School of Creative Arts Kay Hack, Diane Lees-Murdock, Connan Fitzpatrick, Justin Magee

2. Project Overview The aim of this project was to harness the power of modern multimedia to develop a dynamic animation of stem cell technology. Stem cell technology was chosen as the demonstration topic for this project as it is both an important area of biomedical research as well as being a topic of current importance to the wider community.

4. To develop a professional quality dynamic visualisation to depict stem cell technology.

5. To provide students with experience of inter-disciplinary collaboration.

6. To initiate cross-faculty collaboration and provide the foundation for further developments, such as grant applications, in this exciting new area of visualising biological processes and systems.

8. Animations Students used text and voice-overs to explain the scientific concepts presented in the 3-D visualisations.

9. Animation in Second Life One student used Second Life to produce an animation focussed on patient education. The animation highlighted the steps taken during an autologous stem cell transplant and included links to stem cell resources.

10. Evaluation: The animations were ranked on a scale of 1 - 5 by science students Excellent Poor

11. “Showed good knowledge of subject and has the ability to deliver information in a way which is easy to understand” “Impressive visuals, informative & clear” “A nice approach to convey patient information” “some of the visuals require more detail” ”text should be on screen for longer” “A very marketable idea with lots of potential” “Voice over should be slower” Science students evaluate the resulting animations

13. Both cohorts enjoyed the collaboration and felt that they benefited from the interaction.

14. Collaboration across two campuses was difficult

15. Use social networking tools to improve communication between students

16. Map project outcomes closely to module learning outcomes

18. combined with audience specific narratives and used as a focus for discussion in a number of areas including science, nursing, and education

20. School of Biomedical Science Kay Hack cj.hack@ulster.ac.uk Diane Lees-Murdock dj.lees@ulster.ac.uk School of Creative Arts Justin Magee dm.magee@ulster.ac.uk Contact DETAILS