GIS & The Kentucky ITEST Program

GIS & The Kentucky ITEST ProgramTracy Farmer Institute for Sustainability and the Environment,University of Kentucky

ITEST Community-Based Science Program

Over 15 schools across 10 counties in KYHands-on learning with professional educatorsProgram: ITEST Community-Based Science(Innovative Technology Education for Students and TeachersOverview:Teams of 3-5 teachers attending the institute participate in a year long community-based science inquiry study with their students to study natural resource problems in their communities using GIS, remote sensing and three-dimensional modeling technology. 2ITEST Community-Based Science Program

Presentations at State & National Conferences (KSTA, NSTA, ESRI)Summer Conference for Teachers and StudentsProfessional Development for TeachersSchool Tours to Streams & WatershedsPresentation days at the University of KentuckyActivities include:

-Professional Development for Teachers-Summer Conference for Teachers & Students-Presentations at State and National Conferences KSTA, NSTA, ESRI-Robinson Forest Weekend Excursion-School Tours to Streams and Watersheds in surrounding communities-Presentation days at the University of Kentucky 3Research at Belfry High School from NSF-ITEST grant

Herbs namely hydrangea, sassafras, ginseng, winter green and lycopodium that are used for medicinal purposes on Pigeon Roost Mountain were located and collected .GPS system was used to locate the points in which these herbs were grown and GIS techniques was used to place the point on the pike county map. Different samples of the soil were excavated to study the chemical compositions to understand the environment in which these herbs are grown. Two different laboratory facilities (BHS and University of Kentucky) were used to test the soils chemical composition. Good agreement between the values of pH, nitrogen and potassium obtained from two different laboratories. Experimental values of pH suggest that samples A, B and C have more acidity compared to samples D, E and F.Atomic Absorption spectrometer at ERT lab was used to find the chemical composition from the leaves and roots of the herbs collected.

Mapping the FieldGPS system was used to locate the position of sites where the soil was excavated and GIS technique to insert the points on the regions map.

SampleLocationHerbsAN370 35.6W820 18.7Queen of meadowHydrangeaBN370 35.6W820 18.6Winter green, Green brier, LycopodiumCN370 35.5W820 18.6SassafrasDN370 35.5W820 18.6GinsengEN370 35.5W820 18.6Cohash, Ginseng, yellow root, Golden seedFN370 35.5W820 18.6GinsengCassidy ElementaryPlant Growth in Different Soil Samples

PLANT GROWTHCassidy 4th GradeType of SoilGroup MemberHeight on3-11Day 3Height on3-15Day 7Height on3-25Day 17Height on4-5Day 28Height on4-15Day 38School SoilChristian2 cm9 cm12 cm16 cm19 cmSchool SoilCaroline N.3 cm11 cm15 cm20 cm23 cmSchool SoilWill3cm10 cm14 cm17 cm20 cmSchool SoilCaroline C.1 cm7 cm9 cm14 cm18 cmSchool SoilParker2 cm10 cm12 cm14 cm19 cm4-H SoilKayce3 cm12 cm16 cm19cm22 cm4-H SoilEvan2 cm9 cm14 cm16 cm19 cm4-H SoilElizabeth2 cm9 cm12 cm20 cm24 cm4-H SoilEmelia3 cm10 cm15 cm17 cm (first leaves)20 cm4-H SoilJosiah3 cm10 cm13 cm18 cm23 cmPotting SoilZoe1 cm8 cm15 cm20 cm21 cmPotting SoilJoseph1 cm7 cm11 cm16cm17 cmPotting SoilProctorNo Growth5 cm9 cm15 cm17 cmPotting SoilSheridanNo Growth6 cm10 cm15 cm16 cmPotting SoilKate Marie2 cm10 cm14 cm17 cm19 cm

Students Using GPSEnvironmental Effects on Soil SamplesPlant Growth in Different Soil Samples

Deming School - 6th GradeWhat are the seasonal changes that occur at a pond ecosystem?What is an ecosystem?How water flows in an ecosystem.GroundwaterWater pollutionTopographic mapsWater cycleData CollectionAir and water temperatureDissolved oxygenElectrical conductivitypHMacroinvertebrate Tally

What causes the seasons?Invasive species of our areaLife cyclesFossils and history of landCareer Day (Grades 4-12)

Georgetown Middle SchoolThe Impact of Urbanization on Our Watershed

Grant County Middle SchoolOur question How natural is our community?Focus on native v. invasive speciesBuilding a living laboratory for ongoing environmental studyOur methods: Visit various land and water ecosystems and test for the ph, temperature, dissolved oxygen, electrical conductivity; Collect organisms; Take soil samples and survey what invasive species were in that land ecosystem; Use GPS to plot our location.

Data analysis and results/findingsIn general Grant County has a problem with four main environmentally invasive species. These species are Asian Clams, Winter Creeper, Bush Honeysuckle and Multiflora Rose.

Friday, May 21, 2010Saturday, May 22, 2010Sunday, May 23, 2010Monday, May 24, 2010Tuesday, May 25 2010Wednesday, May 26, 2010Grant County High SchoolAs you observed from the information we gathered and from the map, the wind power in Kentucky is extremely poor; therefore, wind energy would not be a viable energy source.We plan to look into other alternative energy sources that will be useful in Kentucky.Wind Energy Potential

Lebanon Middle SchoolHow has soil usage changed?

HOW DOES THE URBANIZATION OF SCOTT COUNTY, KY AFFECT THE ELKHORN CREEK WATERSHED?

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Scott County Middle School,Georgetown,KY

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Southern Elementary-Creek Project

St. Charles Middle School Marion County, KentuckyBy: Abby Blandford, Joey Costello, and Mr. Crum

NitratespH

Dissolved Oxygen

EcoliWoodford County Middle Schoolhttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=054xTEc1h3w&hd=1