SkyTruth is a non-profit which provides expert analysis of various aerial images to reveal the "truth" that pictures speak louder than any words one's actions could say, including the action or non-action of any governmental bodies. Their expert evaluation of the gulf oil spill revealed more than was being said to the media and resulted in a quicker fuller response to the disaster. We could all strive for such a target.
Our class assisted SkyTruth by evaluating several LandSat images for the presence of Mountain Top Removal in the Appalachian Mountains. Each group, about 5 members, was responsible for analyzing 2-4 images with various criteria. The final collaboration is a poster presented from a pro or anti mining position.
Our Group 5 was assigned "pro" mining. The group itself covered 10 time zones which challenged our level of cooperation and amount of sleep to be had between us. Here's the team.
Karen Mathews, Grad, Group Leader
Robert Wilkinson, Grad
Alex Fowlkes
Michael Supranowicz
Mohamed M. Hussain
Each of us accepted a role in the presentation:
Alex Fowlkes stepped out as the "poster master". His quick wit to begin the layout design put us on a good path. He collected the elements as they were delivered and expertly placed them into their location, creating interest.
Robert Wilkinson, early on sent out quick research notes which helped to open our hunting skills for the pro-mining stance we were asked to support. He presented the Economy & Energy section.
Michael Supranowicz took on the Health sector which proved to be a challenge.
Mohamed M. Hussain, provided us with a wonderful map of the Group 5 area showing our final MTR polygons.
Karen Mathews, served as the group leader. This required constant monitoring of our communication boards (school discussion board and email). many hours were spent relaying information between the group members and to see that the written sections stayed on point with the pro stance outcome. An important part was to set interior deadlines so that the total goal could be reached without straining the members. It was my task to write the Land reclamation section, the background and the conclusion. As each member completed their task, I reviewed it and submitted it to the group for final agreement. On occasion it was necessary to send a piece back to the drawing board for revision. Also, an important task was to review the checklist to insure all of the elements of the assignment were completed.
In the end, all the members pulled together to create a good product. We could all ask for additional tweekings to deliver an "excellent" result rather than a sufficient one. However, considering the circumstances which arose, a good product is acceptable and a great one would have been better.
It was a pleasure to serve as the lead in the project.
Here's a link to the final poster.
Group 5 - Sky Truth Poster
