Engineering topics

Robert Cecil Byles

Publications and source records attributed to Robert Cecil Byles.

6 records

NASA NTRSDate not supplied

NASA DEVELOP’s Approach to Experiential Learning

The DEVELOP Program, part of NASA’s Applied Sciences’ Capacity Building Program, connects decision makers and early career individuals through rapid 10-week feasibility studies. These projects utilize Earth observation assets to address environmental issues and are conducted by small, interdisciplinary teams who work autonomously under the guidance of a cohort of science advisors. The teams tailor their research to create end products that support partner decision making processes. The connection to real-world decision making and direct communication with partner organizations drives meaningful experiences for DEVELOP participants that are directly applicable to future work in the geosciences. This poster will share DEVELOP’s model for offering meaningful experiences to its participants, address lessons learned over the past 20+ years, and highlight a variety of testimonials.

Capacity Building↗

NASA NTRSDate not supplied

Integrating Earth Observations and Socioeconomic Data to Identify Vulnerable Populations and Support Environmental Justice Initiatives

Part of NASA’s Earth Applied Sciences, DEVELOP is a dual capacity building program that introduces communities to applications of NASA Earth observation data to help inform environmental decision making. These projects are conducted by small teams of students, recent graduates, and early and transitioning career professionals and are tailored specifically to end-user decision making processes. Since 2018, a collaboration between NASA DEVELOP, Groundwork USA and its network of trusts, the AGU Thriving Earth Exchange, and local communities such as the City of Cambridge and the City of San Diego, has culminated in a campaign of 14 projects focused on assessing vulnerability to environmental threats such as extreme heat and flooding. These projects have explored the integration of satellite data and socio-economic data to discern populations at risk of being negatively impacted and align with Groundwork’s Climate Safe Neighborhoods Initiative that explores the relationship between historical race-based housing segregation and current and predicted impacts of climate change. This presentation will introduce an overview of the DEVELOP projects using Earth observations to support vulnerabilities assessments and community resilience, the collaboration with Groundwork USA, and future plans for environmental justice efforts at NASA.

Capacity Building↗

NASA NTRSDate not supplied

NASA DEVELOP’s Approach to Building Individual and Institutional Capacity to Use Earth Observations for Atmospheric Monitoring and Decision Making

NASA DEVELOP, an Applied Sciences’ Capacity Building program, introduces individuals and institutions to the applications of NASA Earth observation data in an effort to help inform decision making. The program employs early career professionals to conduct rapid feasibility studies tailored specific to partner needs. Each year, DEVELOP conducts 50-60 feasibility studies that highlight the capabilities of Earth observations for measuring and monitoring a wide range of environmental phenomena. For this presentation, example projects will be highlighted that focus on monitoring air quality and pollution, wildfire emissions, and greenhouse gasses such as methane. An overview of example projects, the user communities involved, satellite data used, and lessons learned will be shared.

Capacity Building↗

NASA NTRSDate not supplied

Building Capacity to Use Earth Observations for Land Monitoring: A Synoptic Review of NASA DEVELOP’s Terrestrial Projects

The NASA DEVELOP Program addresses environmental and public policy issues through interdisciplinary research studies that apply the lens of Earth observations to decision making. The program builds capacity in both programmatic participants (e.g., students and recent graduates) and partner organizations (e.g., federal agencies and non-governmental organizations) to use and integrate Earth science information into environmental decision making. DEVELOP conducts 50-60 projects each year, with approximately three quarters of projects focusing on terrestrial-related topics such as monitoring and assessing land use/land change, vegetation health, agriculture, water resources, and urban development. This presentation will share the DEVELOP model for building capacity, highlight example project case studies, and share lessons learned working with a wide variety of partner organizations.

Capacity Building↗

NASA NTRSDate not supplied

Advancing STEM in Bhutan through Increased Earth Observation Capacity: Applying NASA DEVELOP’s Model to Bhutanese Scholars

The NASA DEVELOP Program, a dual capacity building effort within NASA’s Applied Sciences, fosters the development of skills and knowledge to use Earth observations for environmental decision making. The program engages students, recent graduates, early career individuals, and transitioning career professionals through 10-week feasibility studies that assess the potential for integrating NASA Earth observing satellite data into partner organization decision making processes. DEVELOP projects provide an experiential learning opportunity for participants while building the institutional capacity of partner organizations. Since 2020, DEVELOP has worked with the Government of Bhutan to engage 30 Bhutanese scholars on a series of projects focused on environmental issues in Bhutan. These projects have offered an opportunity for Bhutanese scholars studying in the US to gain geospatial knowledge and skills, project management and leadership skills, and science communication experience. This presentation will highlight the DEVELOP model of empowering its participants, collaborative projects, and highlight example outcomes of the Bhutan engagement.

Capacity Building↗

NASA NTRSDate not supplied

Localizing Earth Science: The NASA DEVELOP Model of Community Science & Engagement

NASA’s DEVELOP Program conducts rapid feasibility studies that apply Earth observations to address community priorities and needs and enable informed decision making. Part of NASA’s Applied Sciences’ Capacity Building Program, DEVELOP builds skills in both participants (students, recent graduates, and early/transitioning career professionals) who conduct projects on small teams, and partner organizations (state and local governments, federal agencies, non-profit and for-profit organizations, and international organizations) that work closely with DEVELOP to design the project. While only a subset of DEVELOP partner organizations are local municipalities or community-led non-profits, the DEVELOP model is an effective engagement tool and often used by NASA as an introduction for communities to engage in Earth science research and familiarization with satellite remote sensing. This presentation will highlight the DEVELOP model of co-production and community collaboration, lessons learned in partnering with local communities, and evaluation activities that look at the program’s reach and efforts.

Robert Cecil Byles↗