Celebration of Scholars
Alice Moody Chapin Arboretum Nature Tour: A GPS-Enabled Mobile App
Name:
Tristan Ottenfeld
Major: Environmental Science
Hometown: Palatine, IL
Faculty Sponsor: Wenjie Sun
Other Sponsors:
Type of research: Course project
Funding: GEO Department
Name:
Kathleen Cochran
Major: GIS/Geo-science
Hometown: Springfield, IL
Faculty Sponsor: Wenjie Sun
Other Sponsors:
Type of research: Course project
Funding: GEO Department
Name:
Julia Karpinski
Major: GIS/Geo-science
Hometown: Lyons, IL
Faculty Sponsor: Wenjie Sun
Other Sponsors:
Type of research: Course project
Funding: GEO Department
Abstract
Our applied project has created an application available for free download on both the Apple and Android app stores and compatible with virtually every smartphone which has access to these app stores. This app was created in conjunction with the 150 Years of Carthage Women Celebration. It utilizes modern technologies such as GPS-enabled mobile devices, GIS (Geographical Information Science), and geo-apps. The application features a location-aware, descriptive, and self-directed map tour of the Alice Moody Chapin Arboretum along with other significant natural points of interest on Carthage College’s Campus. This arboretum contains a diverse collection of notable trees, both native and non-native, which encompasses the whole 80-acre campus of Carthage College. Today, the arboretum sustains multiple ecosystems and provides a beautiful natural setting for both students and the greater Kenosha community to enjoy. It also serves as a useful location for classes and individuals to conduct environmental research. One map layer underlying the app is a point layer that symbolizes some of the most notable trees on the campus-wide arboretum. The user can interact with this layer by tapping on a point anywhere on the map or close to their current location as detected by the phone’s built-in GPS. Once activated the point will provide a short description of the specific tree with information on its common name, scientific name, native vs non-native status, its environmental significance and/or a story behind it linked to someone memorable at Carthage, and pictures for reference. The other interactive layer on this map holds a few other natural points of interest around campus. This point of interest layer behaves similarly to the notable trees layer. It also provides symbology, photo, and information that would engage visitors of varying ages and demographics from current students, faculty, and staff, to prospective students and families, and to folks from the surrounding community. This application is valuable because it will promote a greater understanding and appreciation of the unique biodiversity featured on campus and be potentially enjoyed by people with varying degrees of familiarity and affiliation with the college. This unique collection of trees and our application which will feature them can serve as an interactive and inclusive learning platform that anyone can access at no cost.
Submit date: April 2, 2020, 11:12 p.m.