Dr. Stansbury will present “Pallid Sturgeon Habitat Restoration Evaluation Method”:
In the mid-1900s, the Corps of Engineers channelized the Missouri River between Sioux City and St. Louis to improve navigation and reduce flooding, among other objectives. These modifications inadvertently reduced habitat for several species (including the pallid sturgeon) that are now considered to be threatened or endangered. The Corps is now working to improve the habitat for these and related species. Because of difficult monitoring of aquatic species and because of the long lag time between a habitat improvement effort and the hoped-for species response, it is difficult to know which habitat improvement efforts are providing the most benefit. A tool was developed using multi-criteria analysis methods that can be used by the Corps to help understand which habitat improvement efforts will be most beneficial for the pallid sturgeon in the Missouri River. The tool first identifies the critical habitat requirements for the sturgeon. It is then used to develop a composite index of the habitat condition for a reach of the river before and after proposed improvements.

Dr. Sangster will present “Managing Group Work in the Classroom”:
Engineering courses attempt to simulate real-world working environments by integrating project-based and problem-based learning into our classroom setting. However, too often there is little or no regard given to the formation of the groups, or the intended learning outcomes of participating in a group project.
Beginning with a review of the ABET requirements that initially drove civil engineering to embrace group projects within our curriculum, a brief overview of the “standard operating procedures” regarding group formation and project execution is provided, along with reflections on the typical outcomes from this procedure. A sample of the research literature on the topic of active learning and active learning within engineering will be briefly discussed. The bulk of the presentation will focus on a case study using catme.org to create groups balanced to maximize success, as well as operational procedures and formative feedback provided over the course of the semester to keep groups on track. In conclusion, data is provided on the outcomes of this approach, and the potential benefits of this data collection effort are discussed.


Open to faculty and students.