3 August 2017 Science Fair at the BARC: Day 2

Plants, Kites, and Remote SensingThe scanning of the earth by satellite or high-flying aircraft in order to obtain information about it.

Today was the second day of the science fair, kids were given an introduction to plants. Kids were introduced to different kinds plants of edible and medicinal value.

I was surprised how much these kids already knew! The Grand Valley State University students lead the plant walk outside BARC and later to a plant scavenger hunt in the tundra. During many of the events kids enjoyed collected bouquets of plants to make teas at home. I assisted the UTEP Systems Lab (SEL) with the GPSA Global Positioning System (GPS) is a satellite-based navigation system used to track the location or position of objects on the Earth’s surface. candy scavenger hunt. Earlier in the day, Dr. Tweedie hid bags of candy throughout the tundra for the event.

We were given about 20 waypoints and we assisted kids with finding the bags! Kids learned about the importance of waypoints and basic GPSA Global Positioning System (GPS) is a satellite-based navigation system used to track the location or position of objects on the Earth’s surface. functions. While the older kids were walking in the tundra, younger students flew kites with graduate student Mariana Orejel and PostDoc student Sergio Vargas. The kites are equipped with cameras and are used for aerial photography. Remote sensing is one of the main tools used in the SEL.

I was even able to attend a teacher inservice, held by the BARC and Department of Wildlife Management (DWM) on some of the opportunities and resources that the departments have to offer. Leslie Pierce, a PolarTREC alum, also helped lead the dissection of the animals from yesterday. We're hoping to have a Skype session with my students back in El Paso. After the days events, the BARC treats the community to a barbecue followed by presentations led by Dr. Tweedie, about the UTEP research team and some of the technology that is opened to the community. The Barrow Area Information Database (BAID) is an informational website open to the public that gives real time data on coastal erosion, a imagery time viewer, and information on research that is taking place in Barrow. It's a very cool website that also link some useful sites to view the marine traffic and where the wind is blowing. By the end of the night we are all pretty tired and excited for the next days events!