Modular Course Schedule

Summer 2010

Students from the Biological Field Station Consortium institutions can sign up for this free series of classes. Each class is designed to provide you with real experience in the area of natural and applied sciences. Classes run May through July. Students are welcome to attend one or all of the classes. Lunch is included. There is no cost to participate. Pre-registration is required. Space is limited so register early!

Students can register for a course by sending an email to dykstram@cedarcreekinstitute.org.

Tuesday, May 18 (9:00am - 4:00pm) -including lunch break
John Fraser, Kalamazoo College
GPS-More than a way to find Grandma's house in Oshtemo

This course will concentrate on the use of GPS receivers as scientific instruments, with an emphasis on the quality and integrity of your digital data. Acquiring positions is just the beginning. We will also discuss the accuracy of your data and what happens to it between the time it flashes up on your GPS screen and its appearance in a scientific paper. There will be classroom discussion in the morning followed by hands-on practice in the afternoon.

Wednesday, June 2 (10am - 3pm) - including lunch break
Summer Silvieus, Aquinas College
Field botany

Plant identification is an important skill for students studying a variety of disciplines. In this class students will be introduced to the basics of plant identification in the field and through herbarium specimen. The class will also provide an introduction to collecting and mounting herbarium specimens.

Thursday, June 17 (10am -Noon)
Rachel Kauff, Grand Valley State University
Observational Drawing for Scientists

Field scientists have always used their drawing skills to help them describe their subjects.  This class will help you improve your drawing skills, increasing the accuracy and the clarity of your sketches and the value of your data collection.

Tuesday, July 6 (10am - Noon)
Matthew Dykstra, Pierce Cedar Creek Institute
Introduction to GIS

Geographic Information Systems are a powerful set of tools that can help you collect, organize, analyze, and store your data.  This class will explore the basics of ArcGIS, including how GIS are organized, how to create and enter data into a GIS, and how to create maps.