2013 ESA Annual Meeting Workshops
Discovering NEON Science and Education in Collaboration with Minority-serving Institutions
98th ESA Annual Meeting, Minneapolis, MN
Workshop #1: Involvement of Minority-Serving Institutions (MSIs) in the Implementation of the National Ecological Observatory’s (NEON’s) Physical and Information Infrastructures and Protocols
Sunday, August 4, 2013 | 7:45 am – 5:30 pm
Organized by the Science and Engineering Alliance
Background:
This workshop is to have 20 faculty members from HBCUs and MSIs who are familiar with the NEON project to participate in discussions on building research capabilities and identifying those interested in utilizing NEON infrastructures implementing NEON-like infrastructures named NEON Satellite Sites (NSSs).
Topics to be addressed:
- Science themes and appropriate science questions for prospective NEON Satellite Sites (NSSs),
- Technical and financial needs and requirements to become engaged in the NSS and large science projects,
- Sharing insights gained from research and educational projects,
- Ideas and potential collaborations for future NEON-related research and education opportunities,
- Institutions mobilization for technical and information infrastructures needed to engage in big science,
- Mechanisms and institutional barriers affecting the inclusion of MSIs to participate in the NSS initiative and big science, and
- Socio-ecological implications for the engagement of the HBCUs and MSIs in the NSS initiative and in big science.
The Agenda for Workshop #1 can be viewed here
Workshop #2: Engaging HBCUs and MSIs in Education Using Large Scale Datasets
Thursday, August 8, 2013 | 8:00 AM-5:00 PM
Organized by the Ecological Society of America’s Education and Diversity Office
Background:
This will be a hands-on workshop for faculty to experience two or three teaching modules using large scale datasets. The workshop will also facilitate discussion on future opportunities to participate in ESA’s FED initiative.
Topics to be addressed:
The value of data analysis and systems education in the context of Vision and Change in:
- Undergraduate Biology Education,
- Potential pitfalls in preparing students for quantitative work,
- Common student misconceptions of key ecological concepts, and
- Assessment strategies associated with introducing large scale data analysis in the classroom.