Analyzing digital images for classroom environmental research Mort Sternheim June, 2011

The Big Idea Digital cameras and computers are widely available for students and teachers. However, they are mainly used for documentation: creating PPT presentations, handouts, posters, etc. STEM DIGITAL shows how digital image analysis can be applied to environmental (and other) research in STEM courses Application to studies of air quality, water quality, arsenic contamination Other examples from climate change, diffusion …

Analyzing Digital Images Software Software package developed by John Pickle, Concord Academy (formerly at the Museum of Science, Boston) Free, student friendly, for Windows and Mac Color and digital image basics Spatial, spectral, temporal analysis tools Updated by Dan Gullage, STEM Ed Downloads:

Monday Color basics – adding pigments and lights Begin water quality week-long experiment CO 2 experiments with BTB Coral bleaching Diffusion Measuring levels

Tuesday Making ozone test strips Arsenic: background, measurement in water Sampler Measuring vegetative health Measuring polar ice, albedo, solar aureole Modeling remote sensing Radius of the earth Arsenic lab tour BBQ

Wednesday Arsenic in rice Water treatment – removal of plant materials Ozone measurements (weather permitting) Brainstorming groups How can we use these activities to enrich our curricula? What other ways can we use ADI?

Thursday Water - reapply treatments Falling objects – Movie Tracker software Arsenic in wood and groundwater More brainstorming / planning

Friday Analyze water quality data Document academic year plans Evaluation focus groups Coral bleaching completion Careers Cleanup

Academic Year Program Six collaborative projects via Moodle Teacher with class, or after school group, or alone Air quality, arsenic, water quality in fall To be decided in spring 3 credits available for summer, 3 more for academic year; otherwise, PDP’s Short option: one class project reported on Moodle, 3 summer credits available; otherwise, PDP’s

What We Provide Kit with key materials for air quality, arsenic, water quality collaborative projects $200 budget for classroom materials Stipend $375 summer; $300 more for full academic year program ($675 total) Support via Moodle, More details later…