The creators of Disney’s “Moana” wanted a consultant to help them realistically depict the ocean for the film.
With many questions as to how the ocean worked and what it looked like under certain conditions University alumna Ellen Prager helped break down the science and explained how it worked.
The former University Ph.D. student graduated with a degree in geology mixed with some oceanography. Prager is now a freelance writer, consultant and science adviser to Celebrity Cruise’s three small ships in the Galapagos Islands.
In the production stages of “Moana,” Prager said she enjoyed answering creative and interesting questions about the ocean during a presentation at Disney’s Animation Studio.
“The film did a wonderful job of integrating the ocean into the film, both visually and as part of the story,” Prager said. “I hope I contributed even a little bit to the excellent job they did.”
The opportunity to consult on “Moana” was offered through the Science and Entertainment Exchange, a program that puts the entertainment industry in contact with scientists.
“I’m extremely proud to have helped or contributed to the creation of ‘Moana,’” Prager said. “It’s a wonderful movie complete with an important message.”
Her winding career path and where it has taken her is non-traditional for a scientist. Along the way, Prager has uncovered her gift in communicating science.
With science often leaving both adults and children confused, Prager has the unique ability to break it down in ways the average mind can understand.
One of her favorite achievements is being able to bring science to an audience. She said her fiction series for middle schoolers has been the most rewarding so far. The books combine adventure, sarcastic humor, marine life and real world ocean issues.
“At talks and book signings, I get hugs, secret notes and lots and lots of questions from my readers,” Prager said. “Parents and teachers have also written me lovely notes about how the books have helped struggling or uninterested readers get into books, as well as the ocean.”
Her favorite books are a cross between her most popular book, “Sex, Drugs and Sea Slime: The Oceans’ Oddest Creatures and Why They Matter,” and the three books in her fiction series: “The Shark Whisperer,” “The Shark Rider” and “Stingray City.”
Prager said she hopes children can gain a stewardship ethic toward the ocean, marine life and the planet. She also emphasized the importance of not only getting children to read, but to also enjoy reading.
In reaching adults, she hopes they enjoy learning and become more engaged in stewardship, policy and conservation.
As Prager’s gift is breaking down science into understandable terms, she constantly thinks about the best ways to reach her audience. She asks herself questions like, “What is their level of understanding or knowledge, what do they care about, what might interest them or make them laugh?”
“One thing I never do is dumb down science,” Prager said.
While it may be necessary to remove technical jargon to make science more understandable, it doesn’t make it dumb.
In the future, she hopes to start a new fiction series for middle graders, as well as continue with some new research, which should eventually become another popular science book.
Prager, who didn’t want to disclose the specifics of her research, said scientists are not so much driven by what is already known, but more by the unknown.
“My advice to students is to work hard, take risks and don’t be afraid to pursue your passions and dreams,” Prager said. “It may get hard along the way, but perseverance often pays off, as does a good sense of humor.”