ECS Summer Internship: Maine Coastal Mapping (S99761)
Summary, Scope, and Responsibilities
| The Department of Earth and Climate Sciences is hiring 3 students to engage in coastal research projects, supervised by Prof. Shreya Arora in the summer of 2025. Students will map coastal bluffs and regions prone to landslides along the Coast of Maine using lidar drones and Real Time Kinematic-GPS. The project focuses on two sections: 1) from Kennebunk to Portland, and 2) from Portland to Camden. A key part of the project will be mapping the bluffs at Reid State Park, where erosion has been observed, in order to create accurate maps for trail placement. |
|
The Basics
Department:Geology
Supervisor:
Shreya Arora
Office Location:
Carnegie 219
Email:
sarora@bates.edu
Hours:
40
Workers:
3
Qualifications, Requirements, and Responsibilities
Responsibilities
Students will be trained in operating a lidar drone and using Real-time GPS to conduct the mapping. The data collected from the drone will be processed using photogrammetry software and ArcGIS Pro to generate digital elevation models. While prior knowledge of ArcGIS is helpful, it is not required. These models will help identify areas susceptible to bluff erosion and landslides, in collaboration with the Maine Geological Survey (Lindsay Theis and Peter Solvensky).
The data generated during this project can be used for student thesis (or research) projects. All students hired will compile their work into a short group report at the end of the summer. Students will be hired for up to 4-6 weeks of employment between early June and the end of July.
Requirements
A prior knowledge of ArcGIS is helpful, it is not required. Training will be provided to fly drones, using RTK-GPS, and working on ArcGIS Pro software.
Reporting
Students will work together and report to the supervisor
Working Conditions
Students must have a valid driver's license and will be responsible for organizing their transportation to various sites around the state of Maine. Fieldwork can take place in messy conditions and may extend beyond regular workday hours (due to the need to work at low tides).