Aliens Among Us Interactive Web Site, Mobile App and Travelling Exhibit
Aliens aren’t just big green monsters from outer space, they’re also plants, animals or microorganisms that live right here in BC – perhaps in your community, your neighbourhood or even your backyard.
In May, 2011, the successful Aliens Among Us exhibition hit the road to travel to nine BC museums over a two-year period. Royal BC Museum curators also host related community events in each region. Sponsored by BC Hydro and supported by recent fundraising, Aliens Among Us explains how species arrived, what individuals can do to protect their communities, and how each species fits – or doesn't fit – with its environment.
We decided to make the conversation even easier to join and developed an interactive website to accompany the travelling exhibition. Both technologies give a wider forum to the conversation and allow everyone in the province to become an alien spotter. Both components work together to connect scientists and researchers with people in the field - everyone from beginner naturalists to experienced professionals may feel free to participate.
This is the first alien species interactive website of its kind from a Canadian museum - a site that not only educates, but allows visitors to track species using Google Maps. Visitors can upload the location of an alien sighting, images if they have them, and field notes. The website also offers the opportunity to ask questions of one of the Royal BC Museum curators or collection managers.
An Aliens Among Us App is also available for iPhone and iPad. Sightings can be made on the spot and images uploaded to the database with the push of a button. The Aliens App is available as a free download through iTunes and the Apple store.
The Aliens Among Us website is funded by the Department of Canadian Heritage and is part of the Virtual Museum of Canada project.
So when you’re out and about in BC’s backyard, look for some of these alien species and let us know! And look for the the travelling exhibition in these communities:
Craig Heritage Park & Museum, Parksville
May 14 – August 7, 2011
White Rock Museum & Archives, White Rock
August 13 – November 6, 2011
Okanagan Heritage Museum, Kelowna
November 19, 2011 – February 5, 2012
The Exploration Place, Prince George
February 18 – April 23, 2012
Kitimat Museum & Archives, Kitimat
May 19 – August 13, 2012
Penticton Museum & Archives, Penticton
August 24 – November 19, 2012
Touchstones Nelson: Nelson Museum of Art & History, Nelson
November 30, 2012 – February 25, 2013
Richmond Nature Park, Richmond
March 8 – June 3, 2013
Fraser River Discovery Centre, New Westminster
June 7 – December 9, 2013