Dear SEP Families,
The students this session grew to understand better the ways that engineers use to handle stormwater and flooding. For example, they learned about infrastructure, such as rain gardens, used to imitate the natural landscape's ability to delay and infiltrate stormwater. They were able to try out their own ideas for reducing stormwater runoff using models in the class. They came up with creative ways to use sponges, paper towels, beakers, and other common items to reduce flooding in their model.
The students this session understood quickly the basic effects that environmental characteristics (such as urbanization, soil type, and vegetation) have on flood potential and they seemed to enjoy tinkering with the electronics we used. All of them successfully created a flood-warning device using a light sensor. The relationship between streamflow and stream level was one that was more difficult for them to understand. Our field trip, during which they measured the stream flow of a small stream on UVA grounds, helped them understand that concept better.
The students this session grew to understand better the ways that engineers use to handle stormwater and flooding. For example, they learned about infrastructure, such as rain gardens, used to imitate the natural landscape's ability to delay and infiltrate stormwater. They were able to try out their own ideas for reducing stormwater runoff using models in the class. They came up with creative ways to use sponges, paper towels, beakers, and other common items to reduce flooding in their model.
The students this session understood quickly the basic effects that environmental characteristics (such as urbanization, soil type, and vegetation) have on flood potential and they seemed to enjoy tinkering with the electronics we used. All of them successfully created a flood-warning device using a light sensor. The relationship between streamflow and stream level was one that was more difficult for them to understand. Our field trip, during which they measured the stream flow of a small stream on UVA grounds, helped them understand that concept better.
Resources for Continued Learning
Books:
Websites with information about stream and flood monitoring:
Websites with information about DIY electronics used in the class:
Thank you for being a part of SEP 2016 Session 3.
- Arduino Cookbook / Edition 2, by Michael Margolis
Websites with information about stream and flood monitoring:
- https://www2.usgs.gov/homepage/science_features/water_scientist.asp
- http://www.fondriest.com/environmental-measurements/environmental-monitoring-applications/flood-warning-systems/ This is an especially good one.
Websites with information about DIY electronics used in the class:
- http://www.instructables.com/
- https://www.adafruit.com/
- https://www.sparkfun.com/
- https://ifttt.com/
- https://www.particle.io/
Thank you for being a part of SEP 2016 Session 3.
