NSF undegraduate research at University of Central Florida in Belize with GIS, drones and spatial storytelling

This summer at the University of Central Florida, we are pleased to host the fourth year of our National Science Foundation Research Experiences for Undergraduates (REU) Site "Preparing the Next Generation of Scholars through Community GIS and Citizen Science."  The program offers fully funded summer research experiences for undergraduate students in Belize and Orlando for 7 weeks.  The program is open to all U.S. students and runs June 3 – July 18, 2019.  We are interdisciplinary in nature emphasizing community GIS, citizen science, drones and spatial storytelling through mixed methods.

UCF is hosting a Facebook Live Event "Secrets to an Awesome Citizen Science GIS REU Application" on Tuesday, March 12 @ 2 pm EST. Join Dr. Hawthorne (REU PI) and Dr. Hannah Torres (REU Faculty Mentor) as we give away the secrets to a successful application to our National Science Foundation (NSF) #REU Site in Orlando and Belize. Students can join the discussion at www.facebook.com/citizensciencegis

More about our REU Site: This year's research direction is focused on mapping coastal and island resiliency with drones and spatial storytelling. Students will work with community partners and mentors from University of Central Florida, University of Belize, The Hopkins Belize Village Council, and The Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History's Caribbean Coral Reef Ecosystems Program.

Compensation: Each REU student will receive a competitive funding package, including a $3500 research stipend, a meal allowance, free shared housing in Belize and Orlando, up to $750 in travel support to/from the REU Site, up to $750 for post-REU conference travel, and 2 research methods books. 

Application process: The priority application deadline is Friday, March 15th @ 5 PM EST.  Complete program information and application instructions can be found at www.citizensciencegis.org/projects/reu-belize-2018.

Student reflections from the field: "Challenging, emotional, fun, collaborative, thought-provoking, interesting, real-life, and eye-opening."  These are some of the words used by students to describe our previous research program.  Check out a short video from our REU fieldwork at: www.youtube.com/...

Questions can be directed to:

• Dr. Timothy Hawthorne: Principal Investigator, Assistant Professor of Geographic Information Systems at University of Central Florida
  • [email protected]
  • phone: 407.823.1030

​Check it out on the web and share on social media!

• www.citizensciencegis.org/projects/reu-belize-2018
• www.facebook.com/citizensciencegis
• twitter.com/citizen_gis
• vimeo.com/citizensciencegis
• www.youtube.com/channel/UCg6_1giYaXQ6mcalJH-kMuw