Special Topics in GIS Student Spotlight!!

GIS4930 Special Topics in GIS, Instructor Amber Bloechle

Module 3 - Statistical Analysis of Methamphetamine Laboratory Busts in West Virginia, USA with ArcGIS Analyze Week

Lab description - In this project we performed an Ordinary Least Squares (OLS) regression analysis to try and determine if any socio-economic variables affect the location of meth labs using the OLS tool and ESRI's 6 step method. Deliverables this week included the Methods section of our report as well as the final OLS results table and a map showing StdResidual results from final OLS model.

Student Learning Outcomes:

• Review regression analysis basics, ordinary least squares and geographic weighted regression.
• Define dependent and independent variables for regression analysis.
• Run ordinary least squares model. 
• Complete 6 checks for OLS results to determine which variables are significant/non-significant.

STUDENT SPOTLIGHT AWARD

The following student was chosen for their exceptional work on the Statistical Analysis of Methamphetamine Laboratory Busts in West Virginia, USA with ArcGIS Analyze Week assignment:

Brian Roche 

About Brian: Brian hails from St. Louis, Missouri and is currently serving in the US Army.  Already looking ahead to being a civilian again, Brian is taking on the GIS certificate to increase his skillset, and hopefully land a job with the US government!   Outside of GIS, he enjoys a number of hobbies including:  golf, baking, reading history, playing the violin, and travel.  Welcome to the spotlight Brian!

What we like: Brian gave a through, yet summarized report on his analysis methods, incorporating the use of ESRI's 6 step methodology in a concise manner. His map successfully displayed the results of his OLS model and to top things off he clearly went above and beyond to ensure his audiences understanding of the material by including a text box explaining the meaning behind standard residual values.  Fantastic job this week, Brian! Keep up the good work!

Special Topics in Archaeology Student Spotlight!!

GIS4990 Special Topics in GIS Archaeology, Dr. Scott Palumbo

Scythian Burial Mounds: Report and Publication

Lab description - In this module students ran a regression analysis and examined the output statistics. The final output combines landscape archaeology and recent theory with the project results for online publication. Students will also start thinking about their final project and consider new cases to pursue in the near future.

Student Learning Outcomes:

• Run a regression analysis on your data
• Interpret statistical results
• Express your predictions statistically
• Publish your data to ArcGIS online
• Begin designing a landscape archaeology final project

STUDENT SPOTLIGHT AWARDS

The following student was chosen for their exceptional work on the Scythian Landscapes Report week lab assignment:

Shana Dooley 

About Name: Shana lives on a small sand spit in the Republic of the Marshall Islands; if you don’t know what that is, just picture sand, sand, and well more sand!  This dot of land is located west of Hawaii in the middle of a vast blue ocean.  Residing on an Army base, she works as an archaeologist for 2 of the islands which are both WWII National Battlefields.  Originally from the desert, Shana has made the best of island life taking up snorkeling, SCUBA diving, and sailing; all of the hobbies helped her expand the size of this dot of land considerably.  Shana is a member of the Archaeology tract and is interested in 3D mapping as she expands the skillset!  Welcome back to the spotlight Shana!

What we like: Shana's analyses represent the culmination of a three week landscape archaeology project. In this module, earthen mounds in central Russia are believed to represent the burial locations of the Scythian culture (roughly 8th century B.C. to the 2nd century A.D.). Students were required to determine if the size or patterning of the mounds was non-random. Over the course of two weeks, Shana noted associations between mound locations are environmental features like elevation, aspect and slope. She then used this information to run an Ordinary Least Squares Regression Model (or OLS) that compared the associations between randomly generated points and site locations to quantify the relationship between the mounds and the environmental factors. She also ran a "hotspot" analysis to identify areas where her model might be overly optimistic. Shana was chosen because she conducted these analyses with distinction and produced a clean and intelligible map layout that conveys this information.

Photo Interpretation and Remote Sensing Student Spotlight!!

GIS4035 Photo Interpretation and Remote Sensing, Dr. Brian Fulfrost

Spectral Enhancement and Band Indices

Lab description - For this laboratory exercise, students examined an image of forest surrounding the Olympic Mountains in Washington State. They learned to use the different bands – or layers – of satellite imagery to better study the image. They also learned to calculate an index that will allow them to easily distinguish between vegetation and other features. 

Student Learning Outcomes:

• Explore Image Histograms
• Operate the Inquire Cursor
• Interpret histogram data in images
• Utilize the “Help” menu effectively to locate ERDAS functions
• Identify features by interpreting digital data

STUDENT SPOTLIGHT AWARDS

The following student was chosen for their exceptional work on the Spectral Enhancement and Band Indices lab assignment:

Stuart Fricke 

About Stuart: Stuart hails from the Pacific Northwest, currently residing in Pasco, Washington.  After completing a degree in economics in 1984, Stuart went on to finish a second BA in Finance by 1986 from Washington State University.  He decided to pursue the UWF Graduate Certificate program to enhance his technical capabilities and better his current business.  Since 1992, Stuart has been managing White Shield Inc. which specializes in surveying and mapping, environmental services, and quality control.  The business has been in the family since 1978, and they have additional offices in Bellevue, WA, and New Town, ND.  While his business takes up most of his time, Stuart makes plenty of room for his wife and two sons, church, and an occasional fishing or camping trip!  For all the time in between, Stuart can be found with a book or eReader in his hands!  Welcome to the Spotlight Stuart!!

What we like: Stuart's maps looks really good and demonstrated effective band combos. We like how the band combinations really made the feature stand out and how Stuart identified the specific feature on the map and included an inset map. He also included a written description of what was being highlighted on each map.  Way to go Stuart, keep up the excellent work!

Special Topics in GIS Spotlight!!

GIS5935 Special Topics in GIS, Dr. Paul Zandbergen

TINs and DEMs

Lab description - In this lab we examined TIN and DEM elevation models. We compared these two data models for elevation, as well as examined some of their properties. We also practice creating and modifying a TIN.

Student Learning Outcomes:

• Create 3D visualizations of elevation models. 
• Create and modify a TIN using various input datasets 
• Compare TIN and DEM elevation models in terms of their properties and derivatives

STUDENT SPOTLIGHT AWARD

The following student was chosen for their exceptional work on the TINs and DEMs Lab assignment:

Laura Simpkins 

About Luara: Laura lives in Wild, Wonderful, West Virginia with her husband and 2 kitties. She has an undergraduate degree in environmental science from University of Mary Washington in Virginia. Laura has interned with the park service at Grand Canyon NP and worked for the WV dept. of environmental protection in watershed management. Currently she is an environmental educator at a children's museum. She loves working with kids, but is ready for a new adventure. Laura joined this GIS program to gain some technical skills to help her set out on a new path hopefully in environmental resource management. She is interested in native plants, wetlands, rivers, streams, creeks, cricks, and playing in the woods. Welcome back to the spotlight, Laura!

What we like: Laura provided a solid comparison of elevation models in TIN and DEM formats and created strong visualizations to support her comparisons.  Pairing the visualization with a  great a symbology those sought after ski runs are now easier to see than ever!  Great job Laura, keep up the excellent work!

Internship Student Spotlight!!

GIS4944/5945, GIS Internship, Instructor, Mrs. Leah Lewis, GISP

GIS Internships - Let's get to work!

STUDENT SPOTLIGHT AWARDS

The following student was chosen to highlight their current GIS internship experience.  

Jelly Riedel 

About Jelly: Jelly is currently enrolled in our graduate level certificate program were she is pursuing her true interests in environmental science.  She recently left the Navy with almost a decade of service and holds a bachelor's degree in applied mathematics.  Her first step after wrapping up her service including following her passion and enrolling in the GIS program here at UWF.  From there, she plans to move on to a master's program in environmental studies.  Outside of school, Jelly is married, with a busy 2.5 year old.  She also has two pet parrots (one true parrot, the other is a cockatiel), who are very demanding creatures. Her spare time involves a lot of reading, hiking, and zumba/dance fitness.

Jelly is currently interning with national DEVELOP program with NASA at Langley Research Center in Virginia.  At NASA, Jelly is working on the Coastal Mid-Atlantic Water Resources Project.  What an amazing opportunity for you!  Way to go and welcome to the spotlight. Working with NASA has the Celsius thermometer off the chart.  Astronaut helmets off to you!

Photo Interpretation and Remote Sensing student spotlight!

GIS4035 Photo Interpretation and Remote Sensing, Dr. Brian Fulfrost

Ground Truthing and Accuracy Assessment

Lab description - Last week, students honed their skills of recognizing features on the ground using a natural color aerial photograph. They digitized an area of Pascagoula, MS, creating a land use/land cover map. Students identified features on the ground based on size, shape, color, pattern, shadows, associations, etc. This week In this lab, students investigated areas of their LULC maps to verify their classification schemes from last week’s lab. This is a way for them to gauge their skills of aerial photo interpretation that they have been learning. 

Student Learning Outcomes:

• Construct an unbiased sampling system
• Locate and identify features using Google Maps street view
• Calculate the accuracy of a Land Use / Land Cover classification map

STUDENT SPOTLIGHT AWARDS

The following student was chosen for their exceptional work on the Ground Truthing and Accuracy Assessment assignment:

Shana Dooley

About Shana: Shana lives on a small sand spit in the Republic of the Marshall Islands; if you don’t know what that is, just picture sand, sand, and well more sand!  This dot of land is located west of Hawaii in the middle of a vast blue ocean.  Residing on an Army base, she works as an archaeologist for 2 of the islands which are both WWII National Battlefields.  Originally from the desert, Shana has made the best of island life taking up snorkeling, SCUBA diving, and sailing; all of the hobbies helped her expand the size of this dot of land considerably.  Shana is a member of the Archaeology tract and is interested in 3D mapping as she expands the skillset!  Welcome to the spotlight Shana!

What we like: We like that Shana updated her original land use map based on feedback from the previous week. She was able to choose an unbiased sampling method and fully grasped the idea of ground truthing her points using Google Maps. Her sampling points gave her a 90% overall accuracy of her map, and in her discussion she was able to justify why she marked a point as correct or incorrect. Way to go, Shana!

Special Topics in Archaeology Student Spotlight!

GIS4990 Special Topics in Archaeology, Dr. Scott Palumbo

Identifying Maya Pyramids

Lab description - The goal of this module was to classify satellite imagery to detect Maya sites with pyramids. Over the past couple of weeks, students did this by creating a number of images to determine what worked best (e.g. False Color, NDVI, etc.).

Student Learning Outcomes:

• Edit a raster image to display select information
• Export raster data to .kml or .kmz formats
• View and share this data in Google Earth
• Compare our Maya perspective to Southeast Asia (undergrads)
• Begin a comparative analysis in Southeast Asia (grads)

STUDENT SPOTLIGHT AWARD

The following student was chosen for their exceptional work on the Identifying Maya Pyramids assignment:

Valerie Woelfel 

About Valerie: Valerie is currently an Archaeological Illustrator and has been for almost 30 years!  While pursuing a BA in studio art, she decided to take a few summer archaeological courses, and thus stumbled across the career path she is still on.  This career has successfully combined her love for art, history, archaeology, and travel.  After working on several digs as an archaeological illustrator, she feels GIS is the next logical step to add to her job skills and expand her employment opportunities!  Like many of us involved with field research she is not in this field for the money, but rather the memories and experiences gained.  Way to kick off our Archaeology spotlights this semester Valerie!

What we like: The neat thing about what Val did was to extend these skills from the Guatemalan rainforest to the jungles of Cambodia. Here she was able to use some of the same techniques to identify likely areas containing stone architecture in a region of extensive canopy. Such classification efforts are particularly important in parts of Cambodia because many relict landmines are left from the Khmer Rouge era and ground truthing is not always practical to do. In addition, his blog is fairly thorough. You can also see some of her Maya results.

Special Topics in GIS Student Spotlight!

GIS4930 Special Topics in GIS, Instructors: Ms. Brittney Markle & Mrs. Amber Bloechle

Network Analyst Analyze Week

This week students created routes, driving directions, and maps—all presented to
specific audiences—for the following scenarios:

Scenario 1- Evacuation of patients from Tampa General Hospital on Davis Islands
Scenario 2- Distribution of emergency supplies by U.S. Army National Guard to three storm shelters
Scenario 4- Presentation of shelter locations to public

Student Learning Outcomes:

• Create transportation routes and define service areas within the dataset utilizing Network Analyst. 
• Identify evacuation routes and potential road closures (and alternate routes) throughout the city using appropriate data and analysis methods. 
• Summarize key processes completed for Prepare and Analyze weeks, including any issues encountered along the way. 

STUDENT SPOTLIGHT AWARDS

The following student was chosen for their exceptional work on the Network Analyst Analyze Week assignment:

Erin Marie Gazenmuller 

About Name: Erin grew up in Ohio then joined the Air Force where she was first stationed in Omaha, Nebraska and was deployed to Iraq for seven months. She currently lives in the Panhandle of Florida brought here by her husbands' orders, but she still misses the midwest(when there is a bit less snow on the ground).

While in the military, Erin worked in Intelligence. However, military life and Intelligence didn't quite suite her so she decided to pursue other options. For a few months she worked at Fontenelle Forest where she had the wonderful opportunity of teaching children about nature, taking care of the resident rehabilitated wildlife on site, hiking through their trails (even in the snow), and meeting their wonderful staff of passionate naturalists.

Erin's husband then got orders to Hurlburt Field a couple of years ago. They live here with their cat, Charlie, and two dogs, Toto and Zoey. Erin enjoys traveling, learning new things, hanging out with my husband and critters, keeping up on shows like The Walking Dead, and napping. Erin has also recently started particapitating in Geochacing, and find it a fun GIS related hobby.

Erin is currently enrolled in University of West Florida's Undergraduate GIS Certificate program as well as with American Military University, pursuing an Associate Degree in Human Resources. She holds an undergraduate degree in Environmental Studies and a certificate in Hazardous Waste Management from AMU. She really likes school. And Starbucks. And memes...

What we like: Erin provided a clean and easy to interpret map showing analysis for all 3 scenarios. Her labels are easy to read and the symbology choices were well thought out. Her choice to include a based polygon layer as well as a water layer so that she was thinking about the whole picture. We also like the organization present along the right side of the page. Again, this presented all of the necessary data in and easy to interpret manner. Job well done, Erin!

Internship Student Spotlight!

GIS4944, GIS Internship, Instructor: Mrs. Leah Lewis, GISP

GIS Internships - Let's get to work!

STUDENT SPOTLIGHT AWARDS

The following student was chosen to highlight their current GIS internship experience.  

Daniel Lozano

About Daniel:  Daniel is currently in his 3rd semester of the GIS program and is employed at the Bureau of GIS for Union County, New Jersey.  Dan has been with the county since 2010 and is using his current position towards credit for GIS Internship.  Daniel states that this program has been great in that he has found himself applying problem solving techniques and methods from previous courses towards his job.  Did you know that Dan spends time working with the Prosecutor's office to prepare maps for use in investigations and/or trials?  It sounds like our student spotlight has a lot in common with our professional spotlight this week!

Congratulations Dan on being named the first Internship Spotlight Shout-out this semester.  Keep up the good work!

Graduate Special Topics in GIS Student Spotlight!!

GIS5935 Special Topics in GIS (Graduate), Dr. Paul Zandbergen

Calculating Metrics for Spatial Quality

Lab description - Students were tasked with calculating and interpreting various metrics of spatial data quality for a given set of locations.  Students also gained experience in how horizontal accuracy and precision are measured.

Student Learning Outcomes:

• Experience the various metrics in calculating and interpreting various metrics of spatial data quality
• Develop an understanding in how horizontal accuracy and precision are measured.

STUDENT SPOTLIGHT AWARDS

The following student was chosen for their exceptional work on the Calculating Metrics for Spatial Quality assignment:

Phil Coppola

About Phil: Phil hails from the Northwest, and is originally from Vancouver, WA.  After earning his degree in Biology with a minor in chemistry from Western Washington University he relocated to Gautier, MS.  There he worked as a biology intern for the Fish and Wildlife Service at the Mississippi Sandhill Crane National Wildlife Refuge.  Phil was responsible for monitoring, capturing, and banding ~100 remaining Mississippi sandhill cranes!  With his research focus in ecology, evolution, and organismal biology, Phil has been paid to chase red-cockaded woodpeckers up trees, and track lizards across the high desert scrub in the Alford Basin, OR!  Besides his studies, Phil enjoys bird watching, gardening with the UWF Botanical Society, hiking, camping, listening to music, and learning new things.  Phil is a graduate student in the Biology Department at the University of West Florida.  Welcome to the spotlight Phil, way to start the semester off right!

What we like:  Phil illustrated great craftsmanship in his final submission, and more importantly he provided a great explanation of the difference between accuracy and precision.  This re-affirmed his handle on the subject, excellent work Phil!!

Stay Tuned for more Spotlights, Internship is coming at you next week!!!