UROP Research Mentor Project Submission Portal: Submission #810

Research Mentor Information
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Primary Research Mentor Name: Scott Evans
Research Mentor Preferred Pronouns: He/Him
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Contact Email (FSU Email if affiliated): sde22b@fsu.edu
Position Title: Faculty
FSU College (if applicable): Arts and Sciences
FSU Department or Non-FSU Organization Affiliation: Earth, Ocean and Atmospheric Sciences
Headshot (optional): https://cre.fsu.edu/system/files/webform/urop_project_proposal_portal/14676/Scott.jpg

Additional Research Mentor(s)
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Research Assistant Supervisor (if different from above): {Empty}
Research Assistant Supervisor Preferred Pronouns: {Empty}
Research Assistant Supervisor Preferred Honorific?: {Empty}
Contact Email (FSU Email if affiliated): {Empty}
Name of Other Faculty/Collaborator(s) (if applicable): Matther Hunter, Digital Scholarship Librarian 
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Other Faculty/Collaborator(s) Preferred Honorific?: {Empty}
Contact Email (FSU Email if affiliated): mhunter2@fsu.edu

Overall Project Details
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Title of the Project: Building a Virtual Museum: Digitizing Fossils and Minerals of the EOAS Collections 
Project Keywords: 3D scanning, web design, geology, fossils, minerals
Are you currently looking for research assistants?: No
Number of Research Assistants Needed : 1
Relevant Research Assistant Major(s):
Advertising (Communication); Anthropology; Art History; Classical Archaeology; Communication (Digital Media Production); Computational Science; Entrepreneurship; Environmental Chemistry; Environmental Science; Environmental Science Policy; Environment and Society; Exploratory; FSU-Teach (Applied Geosciences); FSU-Teach (Environmental Sciences); Geology; Geosciences; Information, Communication & Technology; Information Technology

Project Location:: On FSU Main Campus
If the project location is off campus, does the research assistant(s) need to provide their own transportation?: Yes
Please select the choice that most accurately describes your expectations for the research assistant(s):: Partially Remote
Approximately how many hours a week would the research assistant(s) need to work?: 8-10
Roughly what time frame do you expect research assistant(s) to work?: Flexible schedule (Combination of business and outside of business. TBD between student and research mentor.)
Overall Research Project Description:
Using state-of-the-art 3D scanners and other digitization methods, this UROP candidate will perform a series of projects to create virtual content for materials held by the EOAS department. Possible materials to be digitized are broad ranging and include the extensive Mineral, Biological and Fossil specimens of the Cowart collection on display in the EAOS building. Digitized content will be used in a variety of settings including classroom instruction, web-based exhibit displays, interactive digital museum experiences, and more. In consultation with the Digital Scholarship Librarian, Matthew Hunter, and Dr. Evans, the UROP student will learn how to identify and select candidate materials for digitization, 3D scanning and model editing techniques, web development, digital exhibit construction, and more. This effort will build upon prior work of digitization and specimen identification viewable on the project website https://eoascollections.create.fsu.edu/. This project will mainly explore the capabilities of the various digitization techniques such as 3D scanning, photogrammetry, and 3D modelling, for the purposes of teaching, engagement, and outreach. Opportunities will also be presented within this context to learn more about the specimens themselves and develop outreach material. Students from any earth or environmental science major, anthropology, archaeology, or IT related fields will especially benefit from experience on this project, as it will engage with emerging research methodologies.

Research Tasks:
-	Environmental scan and literature review of example digital exhibits featuring geologic and biologic specimens
-       Digitize (3D scanning, photogrammetry, etc.) EOAS collection materials (fossils, minerals, marine biota, etc.)
-	Develop teaching materials and learning modules that utilize digitized materials, in consultation with faculty instructors of introductory courses
-	Develop and build digital exhibits and interactive web tools around digitized materials
-	Research and communicate information regarding specimen identification, background and significance
-	Outreach and communication of scientific information

Skills that research assistant(s) may need::
-	Web development - recommended
-	Web design - recommended
-	Photography experience – recommended
-	3D modelling experience – recommended
-	Geology/paleontology research experience – recommended
-	Archaeology/excavation experience – recommended

Mentoring Philosophy:
This project is open ended – there is an extensive amount of material that can be digitized and various effective methods for presenting the content produced. Thus, mentoring will begin with an evaluation of the selected student’s skills and interests. Mentors and will work with the mentee to create a work plan that best fits them with the goal of empowering the mentee and creating a sense of ownership over the final product(s) produced. The mentee is expected to develop a work schedule and organization strategy that best suits their abilities. Regular meetings will be scheduled on a weekly to bi-weekly basis for project updates, and mentors will generally hold an open-door policy for additional reports and other inquiries. We will work to create a safe learning environment that encourages growth of the mentee and offers opportunities for learning beyond the general goals of the project. 

Please provide a link to your publications, a video clip, or a website for your research project (if applicable):: https://eoascollections.create.fsu.edu/
Please add any additional information here (if applicable)::
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Are you interested in participating in the UROP Research Mentor Roundtable?: Yes
Roundtable times and Zoom links:
Tuesday, September 3rd at 3pm: https://fsu.zoom.us/j/93348369282 
Wednesday, September 4th at noon: https://fsu.zoom.us/j/97698407899


Roundtable Info:
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UROP Program Elements
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Mentor Handbook, FAQs, and Communication: Yes
UROP Performance Evaluation: Yes
Materials Grant: Yes
UROP Poster Presentation: Yes

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Year: 2024
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