To showcase what federal research and development can accomplish, the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy hosted an event on November 7th called American Possibilities: A White House Demo Day. At this event, participants explored a showroom with more than 40 innovations that will help Americans live better lives and build our future together, all made possible by federal investment.
Two NOAA exhibits were selected, including NOAA’s Urban Heat Island Virtual Reality Experience. Morgan Zabow (CPO), Rafael DeAmeller (NOAA VizLab), and Juan Pablo Hurtado (Science on a Sphere) were invited to showcase the urban heat island campaigns and the virtual reality experience that NOAA built with the Washington, D.C. data. This immersive virtual reality experience takes a unique approach to educate and engage the public on one of the most pressing environmental challenges of our time. This event was open to the public, the media, and members of Congress and the Biden Administration.
Later in the event, President Biden visited the venue and stopped by the NOAA exhibit where the team spoke with him about the urban heat island program, showed him pictures of the volunteers in action, and showcased the data from the Wilmington, DE project. He also wore the Virtual Reality Oculus headset and saw the temperature differences for himself across D.C.
For more information, contact Morgan Zabow.
Image credit: Rafael DeAmeller
