Summer 2023 - Special Topics in Land.Air.Sea Robotics (LASR)

This immersive field course will explore current and future techniques of close-range remote sensing utilizing Land.Air.Sea Robotics (LASR) platforms for environmental monitoring and habitat assessment. Emerging techniques that increase spatial and temporal density of the samples, as well as data-driven verification models using eDNA will be introduced and exercised in field and laboratory settings.

The course will focus on four basic objectives: (1) demonstrating knowledge and operational skills to successfully execute sample collection and/or data acquisition using a variety of LASR systems equipped with remote sensing and collection devices; (2) applying different methods of data acquisition and processing to identify, cross-validate and interpret data collected from LASR-based environmental sensors; (3) synthesizing and extrapolating data from these novel collection techniques to solve real-world problems related to soil, forest, sub-aquatic, and wetland environments all located at the Smithsonian Environmental Research Center in Rhode River, Maryland. (4) Facilitate joint publication and/or JHU Capstone opportunities. Both may be provided to students in the course.

Students will act as LASR crewmembers and scientific crew on numerous daily missions during the field portion of the course. This includes all modes of Land.Air.Sea Robotics mission teams. Prerequisite: Ability to use ESRI StoryMaps tools based on previous experience or familiarity with ESRI GIS tools. JHU will provide the appropriate software licenses required.

This course has a field component June 13 through June 16, 2022 based at the Smithsonian Environmental Research Center in Rhode River, Maryland (in the Annapolis, MD area).

Online anytime is the portion of the course that has assignments related to Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSAs) that will ensure a productive and safe use of the field equipment, and will provide the background needed to master the data to information GIS workflow. From 25 MAY to 13 JUN 2022, students should plan to spend at least 3 hours a week to complete the assignments that involve reading and studying the materials related to the course Terminal Learning Objectives (TLOs).

Assignments are related to Sample Collection; Sensor Science; Data to Information GIS knowledge development to ensure a productive field experience. The Post-field assignments are related to data to information workflows; GIS StoryMaps training (due at the end of the course). Materials and assignment checklist files for each assignment are posted weekly and available via the course Blackboard folder.

Students will demonstrate, operate, and publish GIS-related Land.Air.Sea Robotics (LASR) facilitated environmental data and sample collection from a series of research stations on the campus and local operating areas. Students who complete the course will be competent to act as a scientist along with certified in LASR Operators and Geo Information Systems (GIS) professionals associated with LASR use in environmental science applications.

• The course fee includes 2 eDNA sample kits, processing, and web-based reporting.
• The site is a Federal Research Station, and all participants are required to meet Smithsonian Institution Health Safety Protocols in place at the time of the course. Details are provided well in advance of the course Field Work Expedition.
• Students secure their own lodging and travel costs to/from SERC Campus (Just South of Annapolis, MD on the Rhode River).