Underwater ROV based on cuttlefish

I just submitted a grant for training teachers in designing and building underwater ROV's for freshwater research.  As we enter SeaPerch competition season, there's this.

End-of-Course Support - Publishing

Thanks to all who are scrambling to submit work here at the end of the semester. 

But because reporting and sharing is a very big part of stewardship, it's important to me to have you share your work on your blog (or some other strategy).    Email attachments are suitable for immediate purposes, and if you need help publishing it you can make me a blog co-author. 

To add me as a co-author, 

1. Go to Blogger.com 

2. On your dashboard, look for the small "More Options" down-arrow among the options for your blog

3. Choose Settings

4. Under Permissions, choose "Add Authors"

5. Add Jim.Egenrieder@gmail.com

Citation for NSTA Protocols

I cited the NSTA protocols in the Syllabus but not on the Resources document.  If you want to cite one of the 10 NSTA protocols, you can use the following (APA format):

Carlsen, W., Trautmann, N., Krasny, M., & Cunningham, C. (2004). Watershed Dynamics, Student Edition and Teachers' Manual. Arlington, VA: NSTA Press.

Kudos to Sadie for catching this!

VT receives approval for a new Water Resources major

Water Resources Undergraduate Major at Virginia Tech Approved in late 2014 by State Council of Higher Education; Set to Begin in 2015 by araflo In early December 2014, Virginia Tech received approval from the State Council for Higher Education in Virginia (SCHEV) for a new undergraduate, water resources major at the university.  This followed approval by the Virginia Tech Board of Visitors during its June 1-2, 2014, meetings.  The new “Water: Resources, Policy, and Management” Bachelors of Science degree will begin in 2015. The program’s academic home will be Tech’s Department of Forest Resources and Environmental Conservation, in the College of Natural Resources and Environment.  But the major is designed to be highly interdisciplinary, with involvement and course offerings also in Tech’s colleges of Agriculture and Life Sciences, Architecture and Urban Studies, Engineering,

Hangout this evening - 7pm

I'll be available online at 7pm EDT to talk with anyone that can join us. We'll use the same combination of two technologies as before (pick one or both): 

1. Google hangout: Look for an email invitation or on G+ at or after 6:55pm 

2. Voice conference call by Uber: Call-in Number: (585) 632-6253 • PIN: 22875

Meanders and Oxbows

These folks have published many nice explanations of natural phenomena.

Try geocaching today, wherever you are.

Adam asked about ideas for containers for hiding geocaches to get people to explore unique areas (like your watersheds!), and I thought I'd share my response with you all.

But most importantly, try geocaching yourself with friends or family.  You can be very successful using only your smart phone with Google Maps or one of the apps below.  Start here by entering your current location:  http://www.geocaching.com/seek/default.aspx  

You'll be surprised how many are nearby and how long you've been living as a muggle.

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I use everything from magnetic key cases (I have several of these) to fake rocks (for hiding keys), to up to big 4" tubes.  It's all about what you can hide in plain site, and that depends on location and the number and nature of passersby.  I've seen some people use those Glad containers in which sandwich meat is packaged.  Others use ammo containers  in remote places that allow them to chain it to trees.

You're not allowed to bury your cache, so your selection of container and it's camouflage is often a source of amusement for those who seek them.

I have one large mega vitamins bottle that I wrapped in black duct tape and it hangs between two signs in a neighborhood traffic circle; people regularly comment "I can't believe this doesn't get stolen."  Another that gets even more comments is a magnetic key case on a drain pipe at a bus stop at a community college.  Finding it without "muggles" noticing what you're doing is part of the excitement for the seekers.

Other suggestions: http://goo.gl/SaFmD6

If you're travelling, enter your current address here (http://www.geocaching.com/seek/default.aspx) and go look for a few.  It's a great way to explore with your family while you work up an appetite or advance digestion after dinner.

If you don't have your favorite GPS with you, here are links to free and full-featured phone apps:  http://www.geocaching.com/mobile/default.aspx  The graphic interface of some of these apps make them more fun than a GPS, even if less accurate.