skip to main content
US FlagAn official website of the United States government
dot gov icon
Official websites use .gov
A .gov website belongs to an official government organization in the United States.
https lock icon
Secure .gov websites use HTTPS
A lock ( lock ) or https:// means you've safely connected to the .gov website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites.


Title: Empowering Undergrads in 3D Digital Imaging: Lessons from the LSU DIVA Lab (Digital Imaging and Visualization in Archaeology), Louisiana State University
The transition to digital approaches in archaeology includes moving from 2D to 3D images of artifacts. This paper includes a discussion of creating 3D images of artifacts in research with students, formally through a course, and informally in a 3D lab and during field research. Students participate in an ongoing research project by 3D digital imaging objects and contextualizing them. The benefits of 3D images of artifacts are discussed for research, instruction, and public outreach (including making 3D printed replicas for teaching and exhibits). In the 3D digital imaging course, students use surface laser scanners to image small objects that would be encountered in an archaeological excavation, with objects of increasing difficulty to image over the course of the semester. Mid-way through the course, each student is assigned an artifact for a project to include 3D laser scanning and photogrammetry, digital measuring, and research. Students write weekly blog updates on a web page they each create. Students learn to measure digital images and manipulate them with other software. Open source software is encouraged, when available. Options for viewing 3D images are discussed so students can link 3D scans to their web pages. Students prepare scans for 3D printing in the Digital Imaging and Visualization (DIVA) Lab. This paper includes a discussion of research and instruction in the DIVA Lab, the Maya field project that created the need for the DIVA Lab, and the use of 3D technology in research and heritage studies in the Maya area.  more » « less
Award ID(s):
1826653
PAR ID:
10526530
Author(s) / Creator(s):
Editor(s):
Watrall, Ethan; Goldstein, Lynne
Publisher / Repository:
University Press of Florida
Date Published:
Journal Name:
Digital Heritage in Archaeology and Practice, volume 2
ISSN:
978-0-8130-69319
Format(s):
Medium: X
Sponsoring Org:
National Science Foundation
More Like this
  1. Goldfarb, Keith (Ed.)
    Natural history collections are important depositories of biodiversity data. Digital photography of natural history collection specimens and subsequent dissemination of the resulting images on the web allow for the virtual discovery of these specimens, enhancing their accessibility to the target audience and the public in general. This presentation discusses digital photography of marine mollusks in collections, including some of the latest techniques for imaging of very small specimens, photography of specimens preserved in liquid, haptobionts, problems of color retention, transparency, 3-D photography, equipment, and other current areas of interest. Despite the focus on mollusks, the discussions can be extrapolated as generalities applicable to invertebrates from other phyla. The presentation also includes a discussion on equipment and the ideal digital parameters for imaging of natural history collection specimens, including image policies on acceptable file-format requirements for data hosts and aggregators such as iDigBio and others. (The presentation includes work funded in part by the NSF Thematic Collections Network grant award 2001528 “Mobilizing Millions of Mollusks from the Eastern Seaboard”). 
    more » « less
  2. null (Ed.)
    This paper focuses on discussing the efforts made to engage students in multi-disciplinary research and integrate teaching and research in the areas of FTIR Spectro- microscopy and image processing and analysis. The author (PI) and co-PIs acquired a Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) Spectroscopic Imaging equipment through the National Science Foundation- Major Research Instrumentation (NSF- MRI) grant (#1827134). This project aims to use the equipment to conduct undergraduate and graduate research projects and teach undergraduate and graduate classes. The NSF awarded the California State University Chico (CSU Chico) $175,305 to acquire an FTIR spectrometer and microscope, which are important tools for chemical characterization of samples with infrared active molecules. FTIR Spectroscopic Imaging System especially provides accurate chemical images that reveal the variations in images’ pixels which are mappings of constituent materials of samples rather than a single visible image with slight variations. By employing this equipment in research and the Image Processing course, students can learn how to collect, process and analyze the imaging data of samples and the corresponding spectral data. The students not only will learn how to process a single chemical image, but also will work with the data cubes to consider the pixel intensities along the IR spectrum, experience working with big data, hone the skills to design experiments, analyze larger data sets, develop pre- and post-image processing techniques, and apply and refine math and programming skills. Image processing course conventionally is based on math, digital signal and systems, and requires programming skills such as Matlab, C++, and Python. along with the mentioned knowledge. Additionally, the research conducted by this equipment promotes collaboration between engineering major students and science major students. In this paper, the author will explain how collecting data through running experiments with the FTIR Spectroscopic Imaging equipment helps students visualize theory and relate it to real world problems. This paper also discusses the results of engaging undergraduate students from various majors in research. Moreover, it will discuss some of the projects that were conducted by undergraduate students and their learning outcomes. The objective of the research projects was material characterization towards contribution to health by employing FTIR Spectroscopic Imaging System. 
    more » « less
  3. The evolving digital world requires scientifically literate citizens who are able to critically evaluate Internet sources of varying credibility. Instruction on evidence evaluation in postsecondary education often focuses on peer-review as a singular indicator of credibility. With increased access to web-based scientific information, students must also learn to think critically in real-time about the dimensions of credibility. This study describes the integration of sInvestigator, a computational evidence-based scientific reasoning tool, with a class of 32 students in an undergraduate honors course focused on socio-scientific issues. A cross-disciplinary team of researchers with expertise in science education, scientific literacy, and evidence evaluation developed and implemented an online questionnaire to measure students’ development of digital scientific literacy. After using sInvestigator to evaluate sources of scientific evidence based on publisher reputation, author competence, and author objectivity, students were better able to assess the credibility of online information. Results of this study also confirm the potential to authentically assess students’ use of author and publisher information to evaluate digital scientific sources. The need for further research on the operationalization and measurement of digital scientific literacy is discussed. 
    more » « less
  4. Technology can assist instructional designers and teachers in meeting the needs of learners in traditional classrooms and virtual course environments. During the COVID-19 pandemic, many teachers and instructional designers began looking for resources they could use for hybrid and online course delivery. Many found that the cost of some technology tools was well outside of their financial means to assist them in meeting student learning outcomes. However, some digital tools provide free access for educators and are beneficial to students. In this article, the authors shared five tools they have used in developing and teaching online and traditional technology courses at the college level. They share how they used a learning management system tool, a collaboration tool, a search engine tool, a content creation tool, and a content sharing tool to engage students in their courses. As teachers look for alternatives to use as they move content from classroom teaching to online instruction, this article can help them consider the recommended tools for instruction. Teachers, instructors, and instructional designers may explore the free digital tools in this article and do further research on other digital tools to support student learning in their disciplines. 
    more » « less
  5. Freshwater mussels are essential parts of our ecosystems to reduce water pollution. As natural bio-filters, they deactivate pollutants such as heavy metals, providing a sustainable method for water decontamination. This project will enable the use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) to monitor mussel behavior, particularly their gaping activity, to use them as bio-indicators for early detection of water contamination. In this paper, we employ advanced 3D reconstruction techniques to create detailed models of mussels to improve the accuracy of AI-based analysis. Specifically, we use a state-of-the-art 3D reconstruction tool, Neural Radiance Fields (NeRF), to create 3D models of mussel valve configurations and behavioral patterns. NeRF enables 3D reconstruction of scenes and objects from a sparse set of 2D images. To capture these images, we developed a data collection system capable of imaging mussels from multiple viewpoints. The system featured a turntable made of foam board with markers around the edges and a designated space in the center for mounting the mussels. The turntable was attached to a servo motor controlled by an ESP32 microcontroller. It rotated in a few degree increments, with the ESP32 camera capturing an image at each step. The images, along with degree information and timestamps, are stored on a Secure Digital (SD) memory card. Several components, such as the camera holder and turntable base, are 3D printed. These images are used to train a NeRF model using the Python-based Nerfstudio framework, and the resulting 3D models were viewed via the Nerfstudio API. The setup was designed to be user-friendly, making it easy for educational outreach engagements and to involve secondary education by replicating and operating 3D reconstructions of their chosen objects. We validated the accessibility and the impact of this platform in a STEM education summer program. A team of high school students from the Juntos Summer Academy at NC State University worked on this platform, gaining hands-on experience in embedded hardware development, basic machine learning principles, and 3D reconstruction from 2D images. We also report on their feedback on the activity. 
    more » « less