WC-WAVE Undergraduate Visualization and Modeling Network (UVMN) Program
The Undergraduate Visualization and Modeling Network (UVMN) will provide professional development for instructors (faculty) and students from Primarily Undergraduate Institutions (PUI) in the three consortium states—ID, NM, and NV. The UVMN provides an opportunity to engage diverse students in undergraduate research and CI-enabled education.
Participation in the UVMN Program includes three basic components:
1. Summer Workshop. In spring 2015, PUI instructor and student teams will be selected to participate in a three-day summer workshop on modeling and visualization to be held June 3-5, 2015 in Boise, Idaho. The workshop will focus on using Google Earth to create GIS content, developing a watershed model and using it to visualize various scenarios, using free geographical data sources and software, and novel approaches to create 3D models.
2. Module Development/Implementation. During the academic year following the workshop, and with the assistance of a faculty mentor from a research university, the PUI instructors and students will work collaboratively to develop and implement an educational module that uses appropriate modeling and/or visualization for an existing undergraduate STEM course at their home institution.
3. On-going Virtual Community. The PUI instructor and student participants will discuss progress, opportunities, and challenges through a virtual community and will be included in research updates by other members of the tri-state consortium.
WC-WAVE Overview
The Western Consortium Watershed Analysis, Visualization and Exploration (WC-WAVE) project is a collaborative effort of the Idaho, New Mexico and Nevada NSF EPSCoR Programs. Its overarching goal is to advance watershed science, workforce development, and education with cyberinfrastructure (CI)-enabled discovery and innovation.
Who Should Apply?
Earth and environmental science faculty and students from primarily undergraduate institutions in New Mexico, Nevada, and Idaho who are interested in introducing modeling and visualization into their courses.
Stipend
PUI
instructors (faculty) will receive $5,000 for one calendar year of involvement in the
program, including participation in the workshop, virtual follow-up sessions
and development/ implementation of an educational module based on the workshop
content.Student participants will
receive $4,000 for one calendar year of involvement, including participation in
the workshop, virtual follow-up sessions, and assisting instructors in module
development. Up to $500 per team will
be available for materials and supplies. Payment will be made in increments
upon receipt of program deliverables; the schedule will be provided to selected
participants. All travel expenses will be covered for participation in the
summer workshop and work with in-state mentors, as needed.
Expectations
- --Participants (PUI faculty and
students) will participate fully in the summer workshop.
- --All PUI participants will attend
quarterly virtual follow-up sessions.
- --PUI instructors (faculty) will
identify a course that is suitable for modification to include modeling and/or
visualization skills presented in the summer workshop; the course is expected to
be offered in the spring 2016 semester.
- --PUI faculty and student teams
will collaborate on the development and implementation of an educational module
based on the summer workshop content.
- --PUI faculty and student teams
will provide a written report of their progress in October 2015 and February
2016.
- --PUI faculty will contact an
in-state university faculty mentor (identified by WC-WAVE) at least twice
between July and October 2015.
- --PUI faculty and student will work
as a team throughout the 2015-2016 academic year.
- --Participants will provide
information for project evaluation that may include online surveys, content
tests, and discussion groups.
Selection Criteria
PUI faculty participants must be a STEM instructor at an Idaho, New Mexico or Nevada PUI (including tribal colleges) who will be teaching an environmental science related course in the 2015-16 academic year.
PUI student participants must provide a statement that they intend to enroll in the PUI for the 2015-16 academic year.
PUI faculty and students must apply as a team.
Selection Notification
Selected teams will be notified by March 16, 2015.
How to Apply
APPLICATION REQUIREMENTS: Interested applicants must download and complete the application as a team. In addition, they must attach a letter of support from the faculty member's department chair that states: 1) agreement to support course modification, and 2) confirmation of time allowed for applicant participation. The student must also provide a signed letter of intent to enroll in the PUI for the 2015-2016 academic year and verification from the institution that they are a student in good standing.
Application Deadline: March 2, 2015