Grant: Applied Research and Development Grants - Level 1

Stevens Solutions & Design Inc. (SS&DI) specializes in visualization and communication of complex products and ideas using 3D modelling, digital animations and eLearning modules. Their clients range from engineering and manufacturing to digital media and journalism. As an Aboriginal owned and operated business, SS&DI is interested in using their animation and training expertise to communicate climate change concerns to Aboriginal communities. As the climate changes and storm frequency increases, many Aboriginal communities are vulnerable to sea-level rise, storm surge, and inland flooding. SS&DI has identified a gap between the scientific research that has been done for at-risk communities identifying and mapping the vulnerable areas and the dissemination and community uptake of those results by citizens. As experts in 3D visualizations, eLearning training modules, and video production, SS&DI is ideally positioned to bridge that gap. However, SS&DI lacks the geomatics background required to integrate the results of scientific studies (such as hydrodynamic model results files, spatially georeferenced lidar data products, and various estimates of climate change scenarios) into their current workflow and software package. *The Nova Scotia Community College's (NSCC) Applied Geomatics Research Group (AGRG) specializes in collection, processing, and analysis of geomatics data for climate change studies in coastal and inland areas, and has completed such studies for many communities in Nova Scotia. SS&DI requires assistance from NSCC in integrating real-world geomatics data and climate change information into their animations and training modules so that they can effectively communicate climate change information and scientific results to Aboriginal communities, allowing community leaders to move forward towards adaptation and mitigation more easily. *