QA Graphics Helps Calgary Zoo Educate About ENMAX Conservatory

ANKENY, Iowa - April 29, 2013 - PRLog -- QA Graphics, provider of the award-winning Energy Efficiency Education Dashboard®, has created an educational display for Calgary Zoo’s ENMAX Conservatory in Alberta, Canada, to educate visitors on the building’s renewable energy technologies and other environmental features.

In March 2012, the ENMAX Conservatory was recognized as a LEED® Gold Certified building by the Canada Green Building Council.  The Calgary Zoo and ENMAX Corporation then looked to QA Graphics to create an Energy Efficiency Education Dashboard to educate visitors on the design aspects that were put into place to achieve this certification.  The solution is an interactive application displayed on a 46-inch touchscreen located in the main atrium of the Conservatory.  

“We are proud to share with Calgary Zoo visitors the new kiosk that will provide information on the benefits of renewable energy technologies, energy efficiency and the many other environmental aspects of the building,” said Karla Wingate, Manager, Community Investment and Sponsorship for ENMAX Corporation.

The Energy Efficiency Education Dashboard allows visitors to explore the environmental features in place at the Conservatory, including energy efficient heating systems, a wind turbine, solar photovoltaic panels, the use of recycled materials, and many other attributes. Educational demos illustrate how some of the Conservatory’s renewable energy technologies function to produce energy and real-time data shows how much energy is being produced by the photovoltaic system. Visitors can interact with a checklist to see how the Conservatory became LEED® Gold Certified. The kiosk also provides a floor plan of the building, an events calendar for the Calgary Zoo, and information on elements that can be implemented at home to conserve resources.  

As a living classroom, the ENMAX Conservatory offers a unique experience where visitors gain insight into energy conservation, “green” building design and construction practices and renewable energy technologies. Hands on displays along with interactive kiosks, including the Energy Efficiency Education Dashboard, provide an engaging experience for visitors of all ages to learn about the benefits of the building and provide an important platform for promoting renewable energy technologies and environmental awareness.  As part of this living classroom, the kiosk is incorporated into children’s activities; for example, Zoo School classes use the kiosk as part of their week at the Calgary Zoo, when exploring the Conservatory.  The kids are asked to find the building’s alternative energy sources using the kiosk and then go take a picture of where the energy sources can be found in the building.

QA Graphics has developed custom Energy Efficiency Education Dashboards for organizations of all types. Learn more at www.qagraphics.com/eeed.

About QA Graphics
QA Graphics is an Iowa-based creative design company specializing in interactive applications, 3D design and animation, mobile app development and other multimedia. The company is also a leader in the building automation and green building industries, providing HVAC graphic development services and energy dashboards to help organizations educate occupants about building performance and sustainability. Learn more at www.qagraphics.com/.