Analyzing digital images for classroom environmental research

Mort Sternheim

June, 2011

The Big IdeaDigital 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 SoftwareSoftware package developed by John Pickle,

Concord Academy (formerly at the Museum of Science, Boston)

Free, student friendly, for Windows and MacColor and digital image basicsSpatial, spectral, temporal analysis toolsUpdated by Dan Gullage, STEM Ed

Downloads: www.umassk12.net/adi

MondayColor basics – adding pigments and lightsBegin water quality week-long experimentCO2 experiments with BTB

Coral bleachingDiffusionMeasuring levels

TuesdayMaking ozone test stripsArsenic: background,

measurement in waterSampler

Measuring vegetative healthMeasuring polar ice, albedo,

solar aureoleModeling remote sensingRadius of the earth

Arsenic lab tourBBQ

WednesdayArsenic in riceWater treatment – removal

of plant materialsOzone measurements

(weather permitting)Brainstorming groups

How can we use these activities to enrich our curricula?

What other ways can we use ADI?

ThursdayWater - reapply treatmentsFalling objects – Movie

Tracker softwareArsenic in wood and

groundwaterMore brainstorming /

planning

FridayAnalyze water quality dataDocument academic year plans Evaluation focus groupsCoral bleaching completionCareersCleanup

Academic Year ProgramSix collaborative projects via MoodleTeacher with class, or after school group, or aloneAir quality, arsenic, water quality in fallTo be decided in spring3 credits available for summer, 3 more for academic

year; otherwise, PDP’sShort option: one class project reported on Moodle,

3 summer credits available; otherwise, PDP’s

What We ProvideKit with key materials for air quality, arsenic, water

quality collaborative projects$200 budget for classroom materialsStipend $375 summer; $300 more for full academic

year program ($675 total)Support via Moodle, emailMore details later…