2013 Watershed Watch

Title: How Campus Development Affects Forest Growth

Team Members: Ricky Dixon (MVSU), Jessica Hathaway (ECSU)

Mentor: Annette Schloss (UNH)

Abstract
Canopy cover is the percent of a fixed area covered by layers of branches and foliage at the top of a forest's trees. It is an indicator to how healthy the trees are in an area. We hypothesize that using canopy cover would be effective to compare forested areas on campus in undeveloped areas (such as the Outdoor Classroom) and areas surrounded by roads and parking lots. We also wanted to test different methods of measuring canopy cover. Trees are important in developed and urban areas as sources of shade, and other factors. Based on earlier research we knew that trees needed room to grow and could be deprived of oxygen and water due to competition from other trees. Also we understand that the tree's roots need a source above the ground to collect water. (Poster)

Title: Using Common Core State Standards of Seventh Grade Mathematics in the Application of NXT LEGO® robotics for CReSIS Middle School Students

Team Members: Ricky Dixon (MVSU), Jessica Hathaway (ECSU), Malcolm McConner (ECSU)

Mentor: Dr. Darnell Johnson (ECSU)

Abstract

In 2010 Common Core Standards included critical content for all students in American education for forty-five states. Previously, every state had its own set of academic standards and students in each state were learning at different levels. In the new global economy, all students must be prepared to compete on a global basis. Students are expected to develop a deeper mastery of content and demonstrate what they know through writing and other projects. The North Carolina Department of Instruction's current curriculum and instruction are more student-centered with greater focus on skills, abilities, and a shift towards more performance assessments. This research was designed to focus on mathematical processes of the Common Core Standard in mathematics lesson plans for seventh grade students. A group of seventh grade students from two middle schools of Elizabeth City Public Schools in northeastern North Carolina were selected for this research at Elizabeth City State University (ECSU) for the Center of Remote Sensing of Ice Sheets (CReSIS). Pretest and posttest data were collected through student assessments and teaching observations to evaluate student growth in content knowledge, understanding and application. The Research Experience Teachers (RET) Team used mathematics strategies to teach various scientific, mathematical, and design concepts, through designing, by programming NXT LEGO® Robotics for the seventh grade level. The students received hands on experience for robotics construction and programming with application of mathematics, motion, and problem solving in a collaborative group setting

Key Terms— Common Core Mathematics Standards, NXT LEGO® Robotics, CReSIS