Implementation of Social Media for Dissemination of Research Activities at the Center of Excellence in Remote Sensing Education and Research at Elizabeth City State University
Abstract:The Center of Excellence in Remote Sensing Education and Research (CERSER) at Elizabeth City State University (ECSU) was established in the spring of 2003 to develop innovative and relevant research collaborations focused on remote sensing applications to coastal, ocean, marine, and polar research. The program has supported various other projects through grants and collaborations with the National Science Foundation, Office of Naval Research, the National Aerospace and Space Administration, and other various government and educational entities.

CERSER has utilized the web site located at http://cerser.ecsu.edu to provide documentation of research activities to funding agencies, faculty, students, and event attendees from its inception. This site provides information regarding past, current, and future events as well as research conducted by students in the program and with affiliated universities or government agencies. The sister site located at http://nia.ecsu.edu is the original location used for documentation of information from previous and current research projects under this program and remains active today.

In order to reach out to a broader audience, the implementation of social media was explored during this project. The goal of this research was to establish a social media presence on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and Google+.

This project explored the implementation of each social media application and identified appropriate audiences and methods of disseminating information. The methods included what information to post, when to post it, and how often to share. Best practices were taken from both educational and commercial sources

http://nia.ecsu.edu/ur/1516/teams/social/abstract.html

Implementation of an interactive database interface utilizing HTML, PHP, JavaScript, and MySQL in support of water quality assessments in the Northeastern North Carolina Pasquotank Watershed

Abstract: The Center of Excellence in Remote Sensing Education and Research (CERSER) has implemented three research projects during the summer Research Experience for Undergraduates (REU) program gathering water quality data for local waterways. The data has been compiled manually utilizing pen and paper and then entered into a spreadsheet. With the spread of electronic devices capable of interacting with databases, the development of an electronic method of entering and manipulating the water quality data was pursued during this project.

This project focused on the development of an interactive database to gather, display, and analyze data collected from local waterways. The database and entry form was built in MySQL on a PHP server allowing participants to enter data from anywhere Internet access is available. This project then researched applying this data to the Google Maps site to provide labeling and information to users. The NIA server at http://nia.ecsu.edu is used to host the application for download and for storage of the databases.

This project was built on water quality data gathered by the Summer Research Experience for Undergraduate teams during the summers of 2014, 2013, and 2011.

http://nia.ecsu.edu/ur/1415/teams/db/index.html

Site Preparation for 3.6m X/L Band and 3.7m C-Band Groundstation

Abstract: On February 7, 2012 a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) was signed between Elizabeth City State University (ECSU) and SeaSpace Corporation. The memorandum leads to the installation of three direct-broadcast satellite receiving ground stations and a training site at ECSU. The receiving stations include a 3.6m X/L band system and a 3.7m C-band system. The 5.0m L band system has already been installed on Dixon-Patterson hall in the summer of 2012. The purpose of this project is to document the installation requirements and internal processes at ECSU for the ground stations, as well as; generate a report of training site physical requirements. Aspects of the MOU including ECSU policy requirements, location engineering findings, location installation requirements, ground station capabilities, and training center needs are addressed.   

http://nia.ecsu.edu/reuomps2014/teams/terascan/index.html

Configuring and Customizing the Hubzero Experience

Abstract: HUBzero is an open source software package used to construct websites for scientific research and educational activities. HUBzero was originally created by researchers at Purdue University in conjunction with the National Science Foundation (NSF) who sponsored the Network for Computational Nanotechnology to support nanoHUB.org. The HUBzero platform currently supports over 40 hubs across a variety of disciplines, including cancer research, biofuels, climate modeling, water quality, education, and more.

The team investigated how HUBzero features are utilized for research, education, and scientific collaboration. The project involved configuring and customizing the user experience on a new hub. The team also learned how to work with simulation workspaces, plus the process of allowing groups to collaborate. Finally, the team learned how to publish the hub so that it could be viewed publicly and how to use the new database component.

To accomplish this, the HUBzero team members used data collected by the 2013 Research Experience for Undergraduates Pasquotank River Watershed Team who completed tests of five tributaries and the river itself. Streams tested were Newbegun Creek, Knobbs Creek, Areneuse Creek, Mill Dam Creek, and Sawyers Creek. The team uploaded test data to a database to determine how HUBzero handles databases.

http://nia.ecsu.edu/ur/1314/teams/hubzero/