Browsing by Author "Taylor, Suzi"

Now showing 1 - 5 of 5

Autonomous Aerial Vehicles (AAVs) as a Tool for Improving the Spatial Resolution of Snow Albedo Measurements in Mountainous Regions
(MDPI, 2020-07) Sproles, Eric A.; Mullen, Andrew; Hendrikx, Jordy; Gatebe, Charles; Taylor, Suzi
We present technical advances and methods to measure effective broadband physical albedo in snowy mountain headwaters using a prototype dual-sensor pyranometer mounted on an Autonomous Aerial Vehicle (an AAV). Our test flights over snowy meadows and forested areas performed well during both clear sky and snowy/windy conditions at an elevation of ~2650 m above mean sea level (MSL). Our AAV-pyranometer platform provided high spatial (m) and temporal resolution (sec) measurements of effective broadband (310–2700 nm) surface albedo. The AAV-based measurements reveal spatially explicit changes in landscape albedo that are not present in concurrent satellite measurements from Landsat and MODIS due to a higher spatial resolution. This AAV capability is needed for validation of satellite snow albedo products, especially over variable montane landscapes at spatial scales of critical importance to hydrological applications. Effectively measuring albedo is important, as annually the seasonal accumulation and melt of mountain snowpack represent a dramatic transformation of Earth’s albedo, which directly affects headwaters’ water and energy cycles.
Bioenergy with Carbon Capture and Storage (BECCS) in the Upper Missouri River Basin
(Montana State University, 2017-04) Bauer, Brad; Poulter, Benjamin; Royem, Alisa; Stoy, Paul C.; Taylor, Suzi
A team of scientists from Montana State University (MSU), the University of Wyoming (UW) and the University of South Dakota (USD) has received funding from the National Science Foundation that is bringing $6 million to these states. The team will use computer models and field experiments to study what might happen over the next 100 years if we adopt a new energy system called BECCS. The project’s study region is the Upper River Missouri Basin, but the findings could help all regions better understand the impacts of BECCS on communities and citizens, agriculture and ecosystem services.
Engaging in Energy Communities: The role of the researcher
(Montana State University, 2020-06) Haggerty, Julia Hobson; Jacquet, Jeffrey; Taylor, Suzi; Theodori, Gene; Walsh, Kathryn Bills
This workbook / planning guide was designed to support researchers who are studying the social impacts of energy development and wish to better understand and mitigate “research fatigue,” a state in which citizens of a community who are already experiencing massive change may be exhausted by additional attention from researchers, the media and others outside the community. The workbook can be used as a stand-alone resource or as a complement to the Understanding Research Fatigue online module. It will help students and early-career researchers strategically plan their approaches to working in energy-impacted communities in order to minimize the risk of research fatigue.
Montana K-12 Educator Needs Assessment Survey Report 2020
(Montana State University NSF EPSCoR, 2021-09) Meyerink, Monte; Taylor, Suzi
As part of the Education-Outreach-Diversity team for Montana NSF EPSCoR, the Science Math Resource Center (SMRC) in the Montana State University Department of Education sought to encapsulate the professional development (PD) needs and interests of Montana K-12 educators, with a particular emphasis on teachers of STEM subjects (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics). This report examines survey responses of over 200 Montana K-12 educators and presents descriptive and correlational findings in regard to: (a) educator and school district characteristics; (b) access to technological resources; (c) school/district strengths and weaknesses that impact PD implementation; (d) barriers to PD; (e) attitudes toward STEM PD; (f) PD location, delivery method, time, and duration preferences; (g) importance of and interest in PD topics; (h) usefulness of data set resources and interest in water quality data sets; and (i) interest in resources related to university research. Based on the presented findings, implications for designing and implementing PD for Montana K-12 educators are discussed.
Science Action Club: Leveraging the Power of Partnerships to Impact Environmental Education at Scale
(2018-01) Herszenhorn, Laura; Levedahl, Katie; Taylor, Suzi
Youth in Science Action Club (SAC) use citizen science to investigate nature, document their discoveries, share data with the scientific community, and design strategies to protect the planet. Through collaborations with regional and national partners, SAC expands access to environmental science curriculum and training resources.