Use of Google Earth Engine for Teaching Coding and Monitoring of Environmental Change: A Case Study among STEM and Non-STEM Students-Reference-Cited by-同舟云学术

Use of Google Earth Engine for Teaching Coding and Monitoring of Environmental Change: A Case Study among STEM and Non-STEM Students

Published:2023-08-04 Issue:15 Volume:15 Page:11995
ISSN:2071-1050
Container-title:Sustainability
language:en
Short-container-title:Sustainability

Author:

Callejas Ileana A.¹,Huang Liana¹^ORCID,Cira Marisol¹,Croze Benjamin¹,Lee Christine M.²^ORCID,Cason Taylor¹,Schiffler Elizabeth³,Soos Carlin⁴,Stainier Paul⁵,Wang Zichan⁶,Shaked Shanna⁷,McClellan Moana⁵,Hung Wei-Cheng⁸,Jay Jennifer A.¹

Affiliation:

1. Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA 91011, USA

2. Jet Propulsion Laboratory, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, CA 91125, USA

3. Department of Theater, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA 91011, USA

4. Department of Information Studies, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA 91011, USA

5. Institute of the Environment & Sustainability, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA 91011, USA

6. The Cotsen Institute of Archaeology, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA 91011, USA

7. Center for Education Innovation & Learning in the Sciences, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA 91011, USA

8. Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Loyola Marymount University, Los Angeles, CA 90045, USA

Abstract

Computational skills are advantageous for teaching students to investigate environmental change using satellite remote sensing. This focus is especially relevant given the disproportionate underrepresentation of minorities and women in STEM fields. This study quantified the effects in both a STEM and a non-STEM class of Earth science remote sensing modules in Google Earth Engine on students’ self-efficacy in coding, understanding remote sensing, and interest in science and a career in environmental research. Additionally, the STEM students engaged in a course-based undergraduate research experience (CURE) on water quality. Satellite imagery was used to visualize water quality changes in coastal areas around the world due to the COVID-19 pandemic shutdown. Pre- and post-surveys reveal statistically significant changes in most students’ confidence to apply coding skills to investigate environmental change and understand remote sensing. The intervention was not sufficient to lead to significant changes in interest in science or a career in environmental research. There is great benefit in incorporating remote sensing labs to teach environmental concepts to STEM and non-STEM students and to bolster the confidence of underrepresented minorities and females in STEM.

Funder

UCLA’s Center for Diverse Leadership in Science

Joan Doren Family Foundation

NSF NRT: Graduate Traineeship in Integrated Urban Solutions for Food, Energy, and Water Management

California NanoSystems Institute

Publisher

MDPI AG

Subject

Management, Monitoring, Policy and Law,Renewable Energy, Sustainability and the Environment,Geography, Planning and Development,Building and Construction

Link

https://www.mdpi.com/2071-1050/15/15/11995/pdf

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