Click on a project title to link directly to the project description.
Project SP22a: PACFTB Pittsburgh Hill Project – position filled
Project SP22b: Solar Development in the Mid-Atlantic – position filled
Project SP22c: Flash Flood Literature Review – position filled
Project SP22d: Investigating Prescribed Fire Effects on Tick Populations in Pennsylvania – position filled
Project SP22e: Vegetation change mapping and analysis – position filled
Project SP22f: Development of 250-m grid scale dataset of nitrogen and phosphorus inputs across contiguous U.S. – position filled
Project SP22g: Characterizing the Suburbs: A Literature Review – position filled
Project SP22a: PACFTB Pittsburgh Hill Project
Researcher: Erica King elk91@psu.edu
Position type: lesson design & planning using ESRI StoryMaps & primary sources
Application deadline: position filled
Project and position description
The Pennsylvania Center for the Book (PACFTB) was established in 2000 as an affiliate of the Library of Congress with its mission to study, honor, celebrate, and promote books, reading, libraries, and literacy to the citizens and residents of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. One of PACFTB’s largest ongoing initiatives is the Literary and Cultural Heritage Map of Pennsylvania. The map links over 1,100 biographical pieces and 300 feature articles composed by Penn State students and local writers to highlight the diverse and robust cultural history for the state.
The PACFTB is currently expanding the map project to engage directly with the PA Curriculum and highlight previously underrepresented populations. We are developing a Digital Learning Tool that incorporates primary sources within a virtual tour of the Pittsburgh Hill District, specifically highlighting 1920-1957.
This position will require students to (1) conduct research related to the Hill District with support from the PSU Libraries Outreach Archivist, (2) assist in the design and development of an ESRI Story Map, (3) work with the PACFTB Curriculum Specialist to create educational learning materials.
The candidate will meet each week with the PACFTB Curriculum Specialist. Work may be conducted remotely; in addition, a workspace within Paterno Library will be provided
Desired qualifications
Applicants should have at least 1 semester of experience with ArcGIS analysis and an interest in historical and human geography. Courses in these subjects are a plus.
This project will require 45-135 hours of work over the course of the semester, and the successful applicant may earn 1-3 credits for the spring term.
Project SP22b: Solar Development in the Mid-Atlantic
Researcher: Zach Goldberg zag5022@psu.edu
Position type: cartography/GIS, data visualization
Application deadline: position filled
Project and position description
This research explores the development solar energy in the mid-Atlantic by producing “open data” on the solar development pipeline. This position will use and build upon existing data sets for analysis and visualization. We will present this data in late February/early March at the American Association of Geographers. The later half of the semester could either be directed by feedback received at the conference or by relevant undergrad research interests. Key due date: Feb. 24
Desired qualifications
Previous GIS and data experience, interest in solar development.
This project will require 45-135 hours of work over the course of the semester, and the successful applicant may earn 1-3 credits for the spring term.
Project SP22c: Flash Flood Literature Review
Researcher: Harman Singh hxs5376@psu.edu
Position type: data collection, literature review
Application deadline: position filled
Project and position description
This project will be a collaborative effort to read through literature compiled on flash flooding within human-environment and physical geographies. The expectation during this project would be 1) to develop an understanding of key terms and research methods 2) logging and categorizing scholarly articles in a database via Google Forms 3) weekly discussions on readings and some flexibility to include undergraduate research interests. Student and researcher will meet weekly throughout the semester to discuss progress on the project.
Desired qualifications
Successful completion of physical geography course (e.g., GEOG 210) and interest in natural hazards, climate change, and research methods.
This project will require 45-135 hours of work over the course of the semester, and the successful applicant may earn 1-3 credits for the spring term.
Project SP22d: Investigating Prescribed Fire Effects on Tick Populations in Pennsylvania
Researcher: Olivia Spencer obs5088@psu.edu
Position type: Geospatial data visualization and field work support
Application deadline: position filled
Project and position description
To address fire risk and promote critical wildlife habitat in Pennsylvania, prescribed fire burning has increased five-fold since 2009, but knowledge of forest response about this practice has been limited. Recent research at Penn State found that a top perceived benefit of prescribed burning among local forest users in Pennsylvania is the potential for controlling tick populations, though this relationship is not yet established in the areas. Landscape ecology approaches are useful for understanding the complexities associated with tick phenology through time and space. This work aims to characterize black-legged tick (Ixodes scapularis) abundance and distribution in central Pennsylvania in response to prescribed fire impacts on ecosystems through a landscape ecology lens.
The student will work with the researcher during the spring semester to download and visualize spatial data including land cover, forest type, vegetation composition, soil type, elevation, and various landscape metrics. Moving into the summer, the student will have an opportunity to continue research efforts by assisting with field work to collect ticks and survey field sites in and around Centre County, PA. The student will also help to organize field collected data in preparation for data analysis.
Desired qualifications
A successful applicant will have previous experience downloading, cleaning, and analyzing spatial data in ArcGIS. Additionally, the student should feel comfortable working independently and in a collaborative environment. Demonstrated interests in physical geography, landscape ecology, fire ecology, or related disciplines is preferred.
If continuing into the summer for field work, the ideal candidate will be comfortable working outside in hot conditions while maintaining attention to detail and organization. Comfort working outside for several hours at a time is a must. Previous experience following field protocol is a plus, but not required.
This project will require 45-135 hours of work over the course of the semester, and the successful applicant may earn 1-3 credits for the spring term. If continuing into the summer term, this project will require 45-135 hours of additional work for an additional 1-3 credits.
Project SP22e: Vegetation change mapping and analysis
Researcher: Dani Niziolek dkn5194@psu.edu
Position type: Aerial photo interpretation, GIS
Application deadline: open until filled
Application URL: https://sites.psu.edu/uroc/undergrads-apply-for-a-project/
Project and position description
Vegetation patterns are a complex expression of interactions between disturbance processes, succession and competitive interactions, and site conditions. Fire is an important component of western ecosystems, and both the presence and absence of this disturbance in forests influences landscape pattern and vegetation change through time. This project uses a combination of aerial photography and geospatial software to examine vegetation change through time, and affords a student the opportunity to explore how changing disturbance regimes interact with these shifts. The student is encouraged to develop a research project exploring their interests in forest dynamics and disturbance effects.
Desired qualifications
The successful applicant will have experience with GIS software and spatial analysis, and demonstrate interest in landscape ecology and fire effects.
This project will require 45-135 hours of work over the course of the semester, and the successful applicant may earn 1-3 credits for the spring term.
Project SP22f: Development of 250-m grid scale dataset of nitrogen and phosphorus inputs across contiguous U.S.
Researcher: Shuyu Chang sxc6234@psu.edu
Position type: Geospatial data analysis and visualization
Application deadline: position filled
Project and position description
Reactive nitrogen (N) have increased tenfold over the last century, driven by increases in population, shifting diets, and increased use of commercial N fertilizers. Runoff of excess N from intensively managed landscapes threatens drinking water quality and disrupts aquatic ecosystems. However, there has been limited access to fine‐scale, long‐term dataset regarding N inputs and outputs of intensive agricultural land use and developed area.
In this research, the candidates will work closely with their graduate mentor during the spring semester. We will combine TREND‐nitrogen N inputs dataset, National Land Cover Database (NLCD) and Modeled Historical Land Use and Land Cover for the Conterminous United States (SOHL) to create a georeferenced, fine‐scale, long‐term data regarding N inputs and outputs over decades targeting different land use for the whole U.S., which could fit various environmental models and approaches. The main tools utilized in this project include python and QGIS.
Desired qualifications
• Experience with ArcGIS/QGIS and data management
• Interest in spatial analysis, data visualization, and big data
• Prior knowledge of basic programming (not limited to python) is preferred
This project will require 45-135 hours of work over the course of the semester, and the successful applicant may earn 1-3 credits for the spring term.
Project SP22g: Characterizing the Suburbs: A Literature Review
Researcher: Billy Southern bms6724@psu.edu
Position type: data collection, literature review
Application deadline: position filled
Project and position description
This research project will look at the historic formations of the suburban landscape in a U.S. context. Suburban environments exist with hugely differing geographies and with constantly changing social processes, but definitions and cultural perceptions of this space often do not reflect its reality. Through this project, we will look to develop a deeper conceptualization of the suburbs and think about the physical and social characteristics that exist across this landscape. The project will have three aims:
- To identify literature that looks at the historic formation of suburban environments across the U.S.
- To explore how the suburbs are defined by thinking about the social, cultural, and physical characteristics which shape this environment
- To ask, what makes something suburban?
The student and researcher will work collaboratively on the project to develop a catalogue of literature related to the topic by using relevant software. Student and researcher will meet weekly to discuss the ongoing progress of the project.
Desired qualifications
Preference is given to students who have taken a previous human geography course, and students who are interested in themes around human-environment geography are also encouraged to apply.
This project will require 45-135 hours of work over the course of the semester, and the successful applicant may earn 1-3 credits for the spring term.