This year's summer camp participants will research and develop a disaster management information system as described below.

Disaster Management through Information Technology
July 9 – 20, 2007

Middle and high school students from the school district of Newark, New Jersey will be participating in this year’s science and technology summer camp. Students will learn about disaster management and the role of computer and information technology. As seen in natural and man-made disasters such as Hurricane Katrina and the 9-11 terrorist attack, disaster management requires coordinated efforts from many levels of government organizations and volunteer organizations. This summer, campers will look at different disaster scenarios and learn that the key to the effective disaster response lies in sharing information to understand the unfolding events in the disaster area. Information systems will support decision makers with the right information at the right time. In particular, we want to help our students accomplish the following objectives:

• Learn about different types of disasters and disaster management activities through computer simulation tools and computer games;
• Learn about an open-source disaster management information systems that facilitates information sharing, communicating, coordinating, and resource management; and
• Design and develop some components of disaster management information systems.

The summer camp participants will research and develop a disaster management information system in computer labs as well as through field work. Participants will play the role of young software engineers to research the information needs of disaster management, to design and implement a disaster management information system, as well as to present their work with multimedia presentations. In a field trip, they will visit first responders and learn about the current technologies used by agencies and first responders. In addition, Geographic Information Systems ( GIS) and location-based map interfaces will be introduced to highlight the significance of reporting incident locations precisely. We will also teach skills of creating and editing digital images, web journals, and multimedia presentations.

During their time at the camp, students will learn and use computer applications and tools to conduct their study. Each student will have access to his/her own computer workstation. Instructors will help students to learn the necessary concepts and computer tools. Students will also have hands-on training in basic application software such as word processing, spreadsheets and a presentation application such as power point. They will learn how to interact with their colleagues through a problem-centered approach to learning.

On the last day of camp, students will have an opportunity to share their camp activities and experience with teachers, parents, relatives and friends through a multimedia presentation, which will be open to the public.

The camp will run at the Rutgers University Newark campus from July 9th to July 20th from 9:00am to 12:00pm. Below is the daily schedule.

July 9 (Day 1) Orientation

July 10 (Day 2) Disaster Management Information Systems

July 11 (Day 3) Field Trip

• Vist Newark Police Homeland Security Center. The officer in charge will provide a presentation, tour and discussion for the students
• Gather emergency response information (shoot pictures)

 July 12 (Day 4) Digital Image Capture and Editing

 July 13 (Day 5) SAHANA 1-Missing person registry and Database

July 16 (Day 6) SAHANA 2- Situation Mapping and GIS

July 17 (Day 7)SAHANA3-Organization Registry and Database

• How to use the organizational registry
• Build a relief organization registry
• Browse/search/create queries
• Prepare PowerPoint presentation
• Update journal website

July19 (Day 9) Integration/Wrap up

Summer camp program provides an opportunity for middle and high school students to explore science and technology disciplines based on challenging and real-world problem solving, and to apply the state-of-the-art technology to understand scientific concepts in solving real world problems.

Our summer programs are designed to introduce students to technology-based problem-solving techniques through hands-on computer laboratory experience, lectures, field visits and group presentations. Past year program topics focused on the environmental problems such as water quality, smart growth of urban cities, animal biodiversity in our area, scientific decision on where to locate monitoring stations, etc. Please click the following links for detail.

Summer Camp 2006

Summer Camp 2004

Summer Camp 2003

Summer Camp 2002

Summer Camp 2001

Summer Camp 2000

Summer Camp 1999

Summer Camp 1998

Summer Camp 1997

We want to accomplish the following learning objectives in the summer camp:

• Stimulate curiosity and excitement in middle/high school students through the introduction of the state-of-the-art computer tools and technology.
• Place students in an actual university environment, interacting with scientists and computer professionals as role models.
• Allow scientists and computer professionals to transmit their own excitement with science and technology and spark the children's imagination and curiosity.
• Demonstrate the feasibility of a career in science and/or information technology
• Disseminate the success of the program to universities and middle/high schools nationwide.

The CIMIC summer programs are open to students who are in middle school or high school. Selection for the program is based on the following criteria:

• Students attending junior and high schools (grades 7-12) in Newark NJ area
• A strong interest in science, mathematics, and technology
• Recommendations from teachers and/or counselors
• Underrepresented minorities (African-American, Hispanic, and Native American)

The summer camp is free of charge to all campers. We are now accepting registrations for the Summer 2007 camp program.

Click here to register.

Click here to view the registrants.

The program will run from July 9 to July 20 daily from 9:00 to 12:00 PM , at the following location:

Engelhard Hall, Room 003
190 University Ave
Newark, NJ 07102
Rutgers, The State University of New Jesey
Newark, NJ 07102

Click the map below for direction to Englehand Hall:

University High School

St. Mary School

Calvary Community School

St. James Prep

Calvary Christian

Our Lady of Good Counsel High School

Gray Charter School

Weequahic High School

Hawthorne Avenue