DEVELOP scholars end summer in Wise, Va.

Pictured above are DEVELOP students from Spain, Mexico, Puerto Rico, and the Appalachian mountains of southwestern Virginia participating in a NASA-supported environmental studies workforce skills devleopment program. GIS faculty instructor Melanie B. Salyer and local DEVELOP mentor Jack Kennedy are pictured above with the 13-successful summer scholars.

The 2010 summer international DEVELOP Team completed earth science studies on environmental problems in Mexico and Haiti utilizing NASA satellite remote sensing data with GIS in Wise, Va. The DEVELOP scholars presented their work to the Wise County Board of Supervisors, the Wise County & Norton Bar Association, local civic organizations, other elected representatives, scientists, technologists and academicians.

A 14th DEVELOP scholar [not pictured] will participate in the 2010 Space Generation Congress set for Prague in October. His participation in the 20-member US delegation is being sponsored by the Southwestern Virginia Technology Council.