Mobilizing secondary school students to monitor local environmental problems with Earth observation data

Paper number

IAC-12,E1,2,8,x14654

Author

Prof. Krištof Oštir, SPACE-SI, Slovenia

Coauthor

Mrs. Nataša Djurić, SPACE-SI, Slovenia

Coauthor

Mr. Aleš Marsetič, Slovenia

Coauthor

Dr. Tomaž Rodič, SPACE-SI, Slovenia

Year

2012

Abstract

Secondary school students are very open to technology and because they are also enthusiastic Internet users they are well aware of satellite data. Increasingly they also have a rather good knowledge about environmental issues and high awareness of associated problems. However, some of the topics seem to be beyond their reach in understanding and providing real actions. Our experience shows that with proper support students can overcome this and become involved in “proper” environmental problem solving.

In 2011 we have therefore started the project {\it Slovenia from Space}, coordinated by the Centre of Excellence SPACE-SI. So far, 12 secondary schools have decided to participate in the project with almost 20 projects. Each of the secondary schools is addressing a different problem, related to the field of remote sensing, meteorology, astrophysics, micro- and nanosatellite technologies and materials. The project are ranging from observation of the aurora phenomena, maritime security, detection of invasive plant species, bora wind observation, archaeological site identifications to geology analysis, urban area change detection, etc.

In the paper we will present the Slovenia from Space project, describe the working procedures, discuss the advantages and also the difficulties we have encountered. The project will be compered with similar activities in developed (e.g. USA, Europe) and developing (e.g. Thailand) space nations. The experience we have is very positive, since the students have been highly motivated and had the opportunity to get practical and theoretical knowledge about things that are only slowly getting in the school curriculum.

Abstract document

IAC-12,E1,2,8,x14654.brief.pdf

Manuscript document

IAC-12,E1,2,8,x14654.pdf (🔒 authorized access only).

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