Remote Sensing2009-10 Science Olympiad

Midwest Coaching Academy Bill Keiper

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Background• Replaced Div C Road Scholar in 2002

(originally titled “From A Distance”)• 2002 to 2006: Earth

– Cultural Impact on Earth– Natural Impact on Human Culture– Topic Rotation (Coastal Features, Glaciers)

• 2007-08: Mars• 2009: Earth - Global Warming• 2010: Human Impact on Forest Biomes

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Good % should have

use in 2010

Check old files. Some

may apply to 2010

The Rules – Highlights / Changes• Impact on Forest Biomes• Resources

– Only 5 sheets of 8.5 x 11 inch paper (same as 2009)– Any kind of non-graphing calculator

• Discarded the three section format of the test – open to interpretation of the event director

• Expectations– Rulers, other instruments will be provided if needed– Often a station-based event in the past, likely to be a sedentary,

packet test

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The Topics – Areas of StudyLinks with other Events

• Science– Meteorology / Climatology – Ecology– Electromagnetic Spectrum– Physics– Astronomy (Orbits, planetary cycles)

• Analysis/Theory/Interpretation– Mathematics, Statistics– Measurement, Map-Skills– Interpretation / Explanation

• Technology– Equipment

• Sensors• Satellites

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Dynamic Planet

Astronomy

Road Scholar

Meteorology

Physics

Experimental Design (writer)

Ecology

Technology (robotics, Mission)

Forest Biomes• Subjects – Examples:

– Change in size/area• Deforestation

– Change in configuration• Segmentation

– Environmental change• Temperature • Weather• Water cycle• Introduction of new species• ….

Global Warming

Economic Development

Population Growth

Change in Biodiversity, Flora & Fauna

Examples – Deforestation• Potential test areas:

– Measure area, calculate rate of change over time

– Assess land use based on patterns

– Analyze type of sensing technology employed

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Examples• Land use• Time Sequence• Type of Forest /

Location• Seasonal variation

• Radiative balance

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Examples - Temperature Change • Positive or negative• Measure Area, Assess 2nd/3rd order effects• Technology

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Remote Sensing Technology• Satellites / Platforms

– Orbits, Missions– Parts of a satellite

• Instruments– Spectrum range, capabilities

• Electromagnetic Spectrum– Capabilities to study Biome status/change

• Technology (how it works)• Techniques

– Translating sensing data into information

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Examples - Satellites

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• Mission/purpose• History (launch,

operating status, significant results)

• Nation/Agency/ Company

• Orbit• …

Examples - Technique• Converting digital data

into information• Options to suit the

subject and purpose• Element of ‘art’

introduced with science

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Statistics - Results• From (6) 2009 Ohio Invitationals/Regionals/State (~ 75 teams)

0

5

10

15

20

25ID Feature/Condition

Technology

Analyze/Explain (e.g.Cause/Effect)

Measurement

History

Misc.

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% of Questions asked / answered correctly

Interpretation

Precision

More time consuming

Practice

• Sample Tests – One included in your packet

• Flashcards • Games

– Live (knowledge and speed)• Jeopardy • Bingo

– Homework• Scavenger Hunt

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Let the kids

develop!

Competition References – 5 Pages• Suggestions:

– Global Warming • Statistics

– Forest Effects• Size • Configuration (e.g., fragmenting)• Biome Impacts (diversity)

– Electromagnetic Spectrum• Wavelengths, best applications, sample images• Satellites and instruments

– Glossary of key terms (alphabetical, by concept, ?)– Mark a scale on an edge (extra ruler); translucent grid for area

measurement?

• Most effective if the kids develop the references!

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Earth Science Satellites & their Roles• ACRIMSAT: Studies sun’s energy output to determine its role in global change (1999)• AIRS: Measures air temp, humidity, clouds, and surface temps• AQUARIUS: will measure global maps of ocean salt concentration (heat transfer and

storage in ocean) (2010)• ASTER: Creates high-res global, regional, and local images of Earth• CLOUDSAT: Radar system- monitors atmosphere and weather, including rain, snowfall,

and cloud moisture content (2006)• GRACE: measures gravitational field on Earth (2002)• MLS: improve ozone understanding—and how chlorine (CFC’s) deplete it

• OCO: using spectroscopy, CO2 measured and rate of change into atmosphere (2008)

• OSTM: monitors height of ocean water to better understand weather patterns and mean sea level rise (2008)

• QUIKSCAT: measures wind speeds using microwaves (1997)• TEM: infrared sensor designed to study troposphere and ozone

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Resources• Official Listings on the National Science Olympiad website

– Discovery.com Remote Sensing Lesson – Geogratis / NASA Remote Sensing Tutorial – Obtaining Radar Images EROS Image Gallery (NASA JPL)– Remote Sensing Glossary (Columbia Univ.)– Remote sensing of the Cryosphere (NJ Science Olympiad 2006 / Montclair State Univ)– Satellite Imagery for the Classroom (Gulf of Maine Aquarium)– The Online Guides - Remote Sensing (Univ Of Illinois)– TRIFC Archives (NASA JPL Imaging RADAR)– Up Close From Afar: Using Remote Sensing to Teach the American Landscape [book]

(National Council For Geographic Education)– Using Satellite Imagery to Study the Polar Regions (NASA JPL Satellite RADAR)– USGS Earthshots: Satellite Images of Environmental Change moved to: earthshots.usgs.gov (examples of

specific conditions)– USGS Remote Sensing Website for Students (aimed at grades 4-8)– USGS TerraWeb USGS Flagstaff Field Center– Virtually Hawaii (Dr. Mouginis-Mark's public site; small tutorial with examples)– Wright Center for Science Education at Tufts University (no new remote material yet; a link to the

Michigan / National Event Director's site)

17I recommend

Resources (continued)• Remote Sensing / Technology

– Government• rst.gsfc.nasa.gov NASA's superb Remote tutorial

(*Section 16: global warming)• ccrs.nrcan.gc.ca/resource/index_e.php#tutor

Canada Centre for Remote Sensing's tutorial

• Climate Change / Human Impact – Government

• www.epa.gov/climatechange• www.ncdc.noaa.gov/oa/climate/globalwarming.html• www.esa.int/esaCP/Protecting.html

– Non-profit organizations / Conservationists• www.ucsusa.org/global_warming Union of Concerned Scientists• www.nrdc.org/globalWarming National Resources Defense Council• www.sierraclub.org/energy Sierra Club

18Many more… Watch for .gov, .edu, .org and recent material

Careers• Government

– NASA– Agriculture, EPA, Interior (BLM, USGS)– Defense, Homeland Security

• Industry– Resource Exploration / Management– Security– Information Technology

• Academics

• Sources to explore:www.asprs.org/career American Society for Photogrammetry and Remote Sensing

www.ucgis.org University Consortium for Geographic Science

www.gisjobs.com GISJobs.com

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Top GIS Universities• Cornell*• California / Berkeley, Davis, Santa Barbara• MIT• Cal-Tech• Arizona State• Wisconsin (2011 Nationals)• Penn State (Forestry/Agriculture)• Illinois (2010 Nationals)• Indiana• Texas / Austin

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* and any other Ivy League school

and many others (though often with special focus)

QUESTIONS?

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On the Clinic Website for Remote Sensing

• Practice Tests (2009 Piqua/Cinc/Marietta Regionals, Ohio State)

• GIS tutorials (3)• Remote Sensing tutorial (CSA)• Spectrum charts• Remote Sensing glossary• Sample Papers (biodiversity, carbon cycle, Ohio

EPA study)• NASA fact sheets (TERRA, AQUA, GLORY)• …and this set of slides

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