Computer Summer Camp 2002
CIMIC/MERI
Rutgers University
Newark, NJ
Students will explore the plant and animal biodiversity of a New Jersey watershed by creating a web-enabled "Biodiversity Map". This clickable interactive digital map will allow users to explore and learn about the plants and wildlife present in the different ecosystems of the watershed.

During the camp, students will engage themselves in designing Biodiversity Maps using basic maps, text document images, sound and videos. They will learn to use web skills to navigate and extract relevant information, and create the green maps using processing software, Microsoft word, Microsoft Powerpoint and internet web tools.

By the end of the camp, students will have learned how to use the tools necessary to create the maps as well as acquire the basic problem solving skills to discover meaningful environmental content to add to their maps and how to design user friendly interface to access these contents. They will also learn how to interact with their colleagues through team-based problem solving techniques.

At the end of the two-week camp, students will have an opportunity to present their maps to public officials as well as to the public. The best "biodiversity map" will be selected and featured in the Watershed Management Area 5 web page sponsored by New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection.

The camp will run at Rutgers University Newark campus from July 8th to July 19th from 9:00am to 12:30pm. Refreshments will be served daily. For information on how to participate, please contact Pamela Morgan at (973) 733-8290 or email her at PEMorgan@aol.com.