The Power of Science, GIS and Sensors: A Case Study in Sensor Journalism
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The document describes a collaborative air quality sensor project conducted by San Diego State University, which combines journalism and geology to teach students about data collection and storytelling. Students deployed air quality sensors in various neighborhoods and utilized ArcGIS for mapping and analysis, resulting in multiple stories and an interactive map. The project highlights the integration of scientific and journalistic processes through technology to engage the community and address local environmental issues.
The Power of Science, GIS and Sensors: A Case Study in Sensor Journalism
- 1. The Power of Science, GIS and Sensors: A Case Study in Sensor Journalism ESRI CONFERENCE 2015 PROF. AMY SCHMITZ WEISS & KEVIN ROBINSON sensorjournalism.wordpress.com
- 2. WHAT’S IN THE AIR AIR QUALITY SENSOR PROJECT • Collaboration between inewsource and journalism and geology departments at San Diego State University • Co-taught by journalism professor and geology lecturer • Semester-long project – students’ stories and data collected from air quality sensors deployed in the community - published on inewsource • Sensor technology • ARCGIS: mapping of sensor data (for discovery, storytelling, and analysis) • Year-long grant funded by the 2014-2015 ONA Hack the Curriculum Grant
- 3. • Interdisciplinary approach • Teaching journalistic and scientific processes in the classroom OUR FRAMEWORK
- 4. STORY IDEA • Datasets from the CalEnviroScreen 2.0 report and EPA datasets on PM2.5 levels • Explore and observe the different neighborhoods of San Diego and their air quality: • Barrio Logan • Logan Heights • Chollas Creek • Bankers Hill • Using custom-built sensor kits and observe the air quality in selected neighborhoods • Numerous observations, data points collected, stories formed over time • inewsource guidance throughout process Chicano Park in Barrio Logan. Photo by Camelle Sison
- 5. THE COLLABORATORS • Kevin Robinson (Geology) • Joe Yerardi, Lorie Hearn (inewsource) • Other departments on campus (e.g. Public Health, Geology, Geography) • Multiple guest speakers (e.g. data journalism, sensor tech, public health, etc.) • Community involvement: (e.g. sensor beta-testers, provided general feedback, etc.)
- 6. MAPPING FOR EXPLORATION ARCGIS skills taught: • Navigating existing maps/ datasets • Creating layers • Adding in geo-located data points on a map • Merging datasets together on one map • Creating legends/keys • Sharing/publishing maps
- 7. STORYTELLING AND SENSORS • 22 stories produced; 9 published on inewsource • 2 video explainers created • 1 interactive ESRI map of neighborhood sensor observations collected • Community observations map/dataset - forthcoming
- 8. CONCLUSIONS • Geographic inquiry model - a solid framework to lead this kind of sensor journalism project (parallels between science/journalism) • ARCGIS was a crucial tool - the power of mapping data; telling important stories through location/maps • Exciting future for sensor journalism when combined with powerful maps - to tell important stories about the community on a micro level
- 9. THANKS! QUESTIONS? ASCHMITZ@MAIL.SDSU.EDU @DIGITALAMYSW AND ROCKROBINSON@GMAIL.COM FOLLOW OUR NEWS COVERAGE: http://inewsource.org/whats-in-the-air/ TEACHING TIPS, BLOG, CLASS SYLLABUS AND MORE: sensorjournalism.wordpress.com