GRACE Interns GIS-based Youth Neighborhood and Health Research StoryMaps

8/18/2017

We had a full house at the Great Lakes Research Center last night to celebrate the GRACE interns, who presented their data collection and analysis about the streets, parks, buildings, and social activity that influence our daily lives in the Keweenaw. We are so proud of their smart questions and polished presentations! Take a look yourself!

People in the Active Community  (Yvonne Oja & Cameron See)

Examining the Correlation between Cigarette Butts and People  (Sam Raber)

What Makes Us Feel Unsafe (Will Stier)

Location of Mobility Needs (Leah Riutta)

What influences the amount of traffic in an area? (Michael Ackerman)

Which community is the most pleasant? (Jenna Kivela-Heinz)

The Potential Effects of Vacancies (Miranda Rich)

How Gender Impacts Environmental Perceptions  (Loviisa Berg)

Evaluation of Local Keweenaw Parks (Nick Laemmrich)

Distribution of People in Calumet and Laurium (Jason Ackerman)

4 Comments

Susan Gates

8/18/2017 11:40:48 pm

"People In The Active Community" it would be of interest to note what day of the week the study was taken and what were the weather conditions. Did the study cover more than one day and/or time of day?

To get a clear analysis of adult activity to youth percentages it would be helpful to know the population of adults to youth. Perhaps knowing this would indicate that "percentage wise" youth may out number the adults. Especially if school had been in session.

Overall, I enjoyed reading this article. As a visitor to the Keewenaw area at least twice a year, I can appreciate the hard work that went into these studies. I find the area interesting and full of relevant history. Would love to see more of the abandoned buildings torn down and a lot of the copper waste deposits cleaned up.
Thanks for the great read.

GRACE Mentor

8/19/2017 07:13:00 am

Thank you for your comments on the student's work. We will let the students' respond to your specific questions on their analysis. However, regarding the day of week and weather conditions- all of the blocks we mapped were mapped 11 times on different days of the week, time of day, and weather conditions (though generally all dry and sunny). This was done to remove the effects of day/time/weather on the study.

8/18/2017 11:55:21 pm

To Sam Raber - Wow - a study on cigarette butts - awesome!
As an ex-smoker, I can relate to cigarette butts and an ashtray in my "smoking room" that was overflowing with butts. Rarely got emptied and hardly ever washed. I find that memory somewhat embarrassing.

In regard to your research, I would be interested in knowing where the concentration of butts were found in conjunction with the type of commercial establishment. For example, smokers tend to smoke more when drinking alcohol and immediately following a meal.
Would you say there was a higher concentration of butts outside these establishments.
Here in Canada we have long taken a pro-active approach to second hand smoke and banned cigarette smoking in all public places for many years now.
As a result of the overwhelming evidence warning against the effects of second hand smoke, many smokers (in our subdivision for example) are opting to convert their garages to permitted smoking areas. Driving around our neighbourhood at night you will witness many open garage doors with large screen tv's, video equipment, lazy boy chairs and yes, the ashtray.

Nice Work!

Sam Raber

8/21/2017 07:11:02 pm

Thank you for the positive feedback. Our research showed that the highest concentrations of cigarette butts tended to be on the two main streets where the most bars were located. I didn't really think to look for that correlation but it makes sense. I'm glad to hear that Canada has such a proactive approach to second hand smoke...I think we're getting better in the US but still have a ways to go.

GRACE Interns GIS-based Youth Neighborhood and Health Research StoryMaps

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GRACE Interns GIS-based Youth Neighborhood and Health Research StoryMaps

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