WHEN: 8 May 2019, 8:30AM-12:30PM
WHERE: Creativity Studio, Hunt Library
WHAT: An orientation and training session to introduce the basic framework of the research and learning experience for all selected students, and provide training in the core methodologies. Specifically, the session will cover the following elements among other things:

• Theoretical framework for understanding environmental resilience of systems like urban/suburban forests to external forces such as hurricanes.
• Theoretical framework for understanding psychological resilience of people who experience natural disasters, including students.
• Overview of the damage from Hurricane Florence and Tropical Storm Michael during Fall 2018, including counties affected, and NC State students impacted.
• Training 1: Geospatial analytics, and co-creation of sampling design
  • Students work collaboratively with team leaders to identify locations of known tree damage in their communities, and develop an appropriate sampling design for documenting tree damage sites, and status of nearby “control” sites.
  • Basic tutorial in using GIS software to locate sampling sites, and document data from the field using GPS systems – in smartphones and/or handheld GPS units.
  • Basics of map creation for community-led mapping of hurricane impacts, and use of tools like story maps to document impacts.
  • Overview of more detailed GIS analyses that will happen during the next phase of the project.
• Training 2: 360° photography and visual documentation
  • Online video (check back here for link) on how to use the 360° Ricoh Theta camera for documenting habitat structure and hurricane damage and recovery.
  • Hands-on with the Ricoh Theta camera, including software for managing images.
  • Quick outdoor session to try out 360° photography to learn the field method and experience data gathering using this approach.
  • Overview of how images may be analyzed to assess damage and habitat structure during the subsequent phase of the project.
• Training 3: Oral History
  • Introduction to Oral History as a way to document people’s experience of trees and nature in your communities.
  • Overview of interview techniques, and best practices to solicit oral histories from community members.
  • Consent and ethical considerations.
  • Tools – recording using smartphone apps (like NPR StoryCorps) or handheld digital recorders to capture people’s stories.
  • Methods for qualitative analyses of stories, archiving, and eventual sharing in a digital repository.