STEM Ed Announcement: STEM DIGITAL Summer Institute

[Morton Sternheim <mort@k12s.phast.umass.edu>]

This is a STEM ED UMass Amherst program.
Contact information is below
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UMASS STEM DIGITAL SUMMER INSTITUTE

STEM Digital Images in Geoscience Investigations:  Teaching Analysis with
Light (STEM DIGITAL)


"	Monday to Friday, June 27 - July 1, 2011 at UMass Amherst 
"	Funded by the National Science Foundation 
"	Sponsored by the STEM Education Institute 
"	Middle and High School Science, Math, and Technology Teachers 
"	Teams of science and computer teachers encouraged 
"	Participants MUST bring a digital camera, and are encouraged to
	 bring a laptop computer (see note at bottom of page)
"	Stipends ($375 summer, $300 school year follow-up), materials,
	 parking, lunches 
"	Housing and meals for those outside the commuting radius 
"	3 to 6 graduate credits available at reduced cost; free PDP's
	 (Professional Development Points) 

STEM DIGITAL will show how digital image analysis can be applied to
environmental quality issues in ways that can readily be introduced into
STEM courses, engaging students and encouraging them to think about 
related careers. The project will develop research agendas that will 
employ a variety of image analysis tools. The air quality theme will 
focus on the three components of the atmosphere that primarily 
affect visible, infrared and ultraviolet light, respectively: 
particulates and aerosols, carbon dioxide, and ozone. The water quality 
theme will look at the role of plant biomass on drinking water quality 
and on global carbon cycling. Arsenic is listed as number one in the US 
in terms of environmental contaminants that pose a potential threat to 
human health; research topics will include the identification and 
mapping of local arsenic contaminated sites and bioremediation 
possibilities. STEM DIGITAL will use the AnalyzingDigitalImages 
software which provides free, easy-to-use tools for spatial, 
temporal, spectral, and intensity measurements.  

During the school year, we will continue working with the teachers on
approximately six projects spread over the fall and spring semesters. 
These will be a combination of new projects, extensions from summer 
projects, and data sharing projects. The timing and content of these 
projects will be largely decided by the teachers during the summer 
workshop to match their curriculum needs. 

Three optional graduate credits will be available for the institute; the
cost will be $300 plus a $45 registration fee. Another 3 credits will be
available at $345 for the academic year component. PDP's will be 
provided at no cost.

Application process: An application form and additional information are
available at www.umassk12.net/digital. Teachers should prepare a 
narrative statement of how they intend to use the institute 
materials in their classroom, and include in their application package 
a recent resume and a letter of support from their school principal 
or superintendent. The application package can be submitted by email, 
fax, or US mail. Applications are due April 1. Late applications 
will be accepted on a space available basis.

More information: www.umassk12.net/digital,  msilver@umassk12.net. Voice:
413-545-0734, fax: 413-545-3697

*Note on cameras and computers: You may bring any digital camera, but 
if you are shopping for one at moderate cost, we suggest the Pentax 
Optio W90, recently $215 on amazon.com. It is ruggedly built and has 
many useful features. You don't need to be an expert photographer or 
computer user, but you should be comfortable with both.