Week 3

Day 1: ArcGIS StoryMaps and Dashboards

Overview:
Students explored ArcGIS StoryMaps and Dashboards, learning how to combine maps, text, and multimedia into engaging narratives. They built an example Story Map and were introduced to ArcGIS Dashboards for real-time data visualization and decision-making. The session also included a brief introduction to Microsoft Power BI for business data analysis.

Objective:
Students learned to create interactive visual stories and dashboards to present geospatial and analytical data effectively, enhancing their communication and data interpretation skills.

Day 2: San Patricio County Crop Tour

Overview: In the afternoon, students attended a crop tour in San Patricio County. The tour opened with discussions about potential implications of insects in the fields, and the important factors when determining if treatment is necessary. Students then observed the assortment of varieties in corn, cotton, and sorghum.

Objective: At the end of the day, students gained insight on industry updates regarding factors applicable to farmers. This included learning about the latest advancements in pest control techniques, the effectiveness of various herbicides, and understanding how economic trends impact agricultural practices

Day 3-5: Team Project Planning

Overview:
In a zoom session, students worked closely with the professors to clarify the goals and expectations of their individual projects. With this guidance, they refined their objectives and began reviewing literature from similar or related research efforts to better inform their approach.

Objective:
By the end of the session, students had a clearer understanding of their project direction, gained insight from existing studies, and secured the necessary materials to begin the next phase of their work.