The first day of STEM Digital was a great experience.  Mort Sternheim greeted us, and there was a lovely breakfast provided for us during registration.

We started the day with John Pickle explaining how to use the ADI software to analyze a leaf, using basic measurement and area techniques.  I became excited, because I believe this software will be very useful in measuring the pH in a few laboratories that I run.

Jennifer Wellborn, of Amherst Middle School, explained how she uses the software in her classroom with a few assignments, including with diffusion and crayfish.  We set up these experiments in the lab, to let them run the course of the week.  I am interested to see whether the crayfish turns color based on its environment.

We went on to talk about albedo and climate change.  Our assignment was to take a picture of white printer paper and measure the reflected light, comparing it with a darker medium (grass).

Steve Schneider presented how to measure angles with the ADI software, guiding us through Earth and Space Science.  We tried to measure angles of people’s faces, and see the basis of facial recognition software.

Finally, Dave Reckhow talked about water quality and water treatment, focusing on natural organic matter in water.  We set up leaf leaching experiments, to focus on analysis later in the week.

Looking forward to Day 2 tomorrow!