Completed Projects - [ STRIDE ]
Summary
The purpose of the STRIDE project was to introduce research methodology to teams of middle school teachers and students. Introducing these methods were scientists working on the Mississippi Delta Management Systems Evaluation Area (MSEA) project and/or who are on the Mississippi State University (MSU) faculty. One of the objectives of the MSEA project is to improve water quality in the Mississippi Delta through the development of alternative farming systems to reduce adverse effects on ecological processes. Ten teachers from the Mississippi Delta, along with 20 of their high-ability or high-interest students, spent four weeks at the summer institute designed to provide participants with the knowledge and skills of sound research methodology. These skills will form a strong foundation for students to take additional science courses in high school and college.
The workshops, led by MSEA scientists and MSU faculty, were offered over a four week period during the summers of 1998, 1999, and 2000. The three watersheds which are being studied by the MSEA team are located in Leflore and Sunflower counties (see map). For the first summer, selection of teachers was targeted at middle schools in these two Mississippi counties. During the second and third years of the project, teachers from other Delta counties were also selected for participation. Participants spent three weeks working with scientists in field and laboratory settings in the Mississippi Delta and one week at MSU working in research laboratories. Teams, each consisting of an MSEA scientist, a teacher, and two students, attended four follow-up sessions throughout the academic year. Teams also maintained communication throughout the academic year through email.
The Research topics included:
- Computer modeling
- GPS technology
- Soil and weed sciences
- Chemistry
- Aquatic science
- Water resources
During their time in the field and laboratory, teams:
- Ran through sampling and safety protocols
- Followed laboratory procedures
- Took measure sand samples
- Take readings
- Tabulated their data
- Looked at the significance of the data
Teams were asked to present their research to the following:
- Annual Water Resources Conference
- Mississippi Junior Academy of Sciences
- Mississippi Science Teachers Association
- American Water Research Association
- Research Association University Council on Water Resources
- Local and regional science fairs
Students received:
- Dormitory housing at MSU
- Lunch in the Delta and MSU meal ticket for up to $20 per day
- Transportation in MSU vans at Delta sites
- Invitation to Stride yearly banquet
Teachers received:
- Reimbursement for travel of up to $22 per day and/or transportation in MSU vans
- Professional fee of $60 per day
- Meal allowance of up to $20 per day
- Dormitory housing at MSU
- Invitation to STRIDE yearly banquet and 4 follow-up meetings during the year
- A pond kit for their school
- Up to 10 hours of CEUs
Partners
Participating Agencies
- USDA Agricultural Research Service
- U.S. Geological Survey
- Mississippi Water Resources Research Institute
Cooperating Agencies
- Delta Council
- Delta Wildlife Foundation
- Mississippi State University
- Mississippi Department of Environmental Quality
- Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries, and Parks
- Mississippi Soil and Water Conservation Commission
- Mississippi Farm Bureau Federation
- U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
- Yazoo Mississippi Delta Joint Water Management District
- USDA - Animal Damage Control
- University of Mississippi
- USDA - Farm Service Agency
- USDA - National Sedimentation Laboratory
- USDA - Natural Resources Conservation Service
- USDA - Wildlife Services
Resources
General Watershed Resources
- Commonly Used Watershed Terms (PDF)
- Watersheds Visited by STRIDE (PDF)
- Mississippi Water and U.S. Geological Survey Facts (PDF)
The GPS Satellite Navigation System
The GPS, or Global Positioning System, is a satellite-based system for determining one's position relative to the earth. The GPS can determine not only where you are in standard coordinates (latitude and longitude), but can also determine your altitude, speed, and time. This system was originally designed for military use but has since been made available to civilians. To learn more about the Global Positioning System, browse through some of the links below.
- Introduction to Global Positioning System
- United States Coast Guard Navigation Center
- Civil GPS Service Interface Committee (CGSIC)
- GPS Precise Orbits
- GPS Resources
- Official U.S. Time
Soil and Weed Science Links
- USDA Weed Science Laboratory
- Weed Science Society of America
- Soil Science Society of America
- USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service
- Site Remediation Technologies
- Sciences of Soils
Chemistry Links
- Chem4kids
- Chemicool Periodic Table
- Miami Museum of Science: pH Factor
- Polymers: They're Everywhere
- The Learning Matters of Chemistry
- Chemistry Guide
Aquatic Science Links
Water Resources Links
- U.S.G.S. Water Resources of the United States
- National Water Quality Assessment Program
- Water Resources in Mississippi
- Watershed and River System Management Program
Publications
- IEP, Learning Communities and the Web (PDF)
- Industry-Education Partnerships Presentation (PDF) - Presented at Center for Advanced Vehicular Systems in June 2004
The Center for Science, Mathematics and Technology currently has four publications that are available to the public. These publications describe the projects in which we are involved. The following is a list of the publications:
- Learn to Work: Transition to the Workplace Through Manufacturing Experiences.
- Science on the Green: A Model for Combining Academic Instruction with Golf Instruction.
- How to Conduct a Collaborative Research Intensive Project With and For Teachers and Students, Student and Teacher Research Institute-the Delta Experience (STRIDE)