Environmental Statistics Practicum

• Activity Number: 575
• Type: Invited
• Date/Time: Wednesday, August 12, 2015 : 2:00 PM to 3:50 PM
• Sponsor: Section on Statistical Education
• Author(s): Brian Eder*
• Companies: North Carolina State University
• Keywords: environmental data ; symposiums ; research posters ; undergraduate research ; abstract development

Abstract

This course provides an opportunity for undergraduate students to develop consulting skills while working with researchers using real, "uncultivated" environmental data. Typical clients include the EPA, the NCDAQ, and the NC State Climate Office, as well as faculty across a myriad of disciplines. The course is designed to mentor students as they: 1) apply their statistical skills through the analysis of environmental data; 2) develop/enhance their written skills through preparation of abstracts and project reports; and 3) develop/enhance their presentation skills via poster and oral presentations. The students take two field trips to monitoring locations to see how environmental data are collected. In addition to presenting their work to their clients, the students also present at either the State of NC Undergraduate Research and Creativity Symposium (fall semester) or the NCSU Spring Undergraduate Research Symposium (spring semester). Recent projects include development of "A Visibility Climatology of the State of North Carolina"; determining "Meteorologically-Adjusted Ozone Trends In Charlotte" and "Evaluating the Ability of Drought Indices to Predict Agricultural Yields".