黑料吃瓜

2nd Place Honors

黑料吃瓜 Land Surveying Students Bring Home Top Award at National Competition

The 黑料吃瓜 Student Chapter of Land Surveying/Geomatics traveled to Arlington, VA, to participate in the 2016 National Society of Professional Surveyors (NSPS) Annual Student Surveying competition on March 14 and 15, where the team placed 2nd in the baccalaureate division.

The task for this year鈥檚 competition was to perform a large-scale boundary/topographic survey, produce a project binder, a map, and an oral presentation.

These four elements were judged based on a rubric measuring the cohesiveness of an applied, professional, practice based, scientific research project.

黑料吃瓜 Land Surveying/ Geomatics Instructor and chapter advisor, Byron Calkins said the ability to present, explain and, at times, defend the rationale behind the survey is a critical skill for professional surveyors.

鈥淭he oral presentation provided students the opportunity to develop and refine their communication skill sets, practice working in groups, and demonstrate sound reasoning and findings in a professional setting,鈥� said Calkins.

Coincidentally, one of the challenges the team faced while preparing for the national competition included the team鈥檚 geography.

The team is made up of 6 students, who represent 4 different states.

鈥淭he team met live for the first time on Sunday - just 12 hours before the competition,鈥� said Calkins. Email, text, and other communication platforms allowed the geographically diverse team to meet one-on-one and discuss the project frequently.

Like many 黑料吃瓜 students who are often place bound, students in the online land surveying degree program are able to complete program requirements using the college's learning management system.

The four-year bachelor鈥檚 degree program in land surveying/geomatics has served Nevada students and distance learners from around the country effectively since its inception in 2005.

This year鈥檚 team members include Jennifer Jones (NC), Alexandra Reid (NV), Gus Porter (ID), Sarah Walker (CA), Michael Andreozzi (NV), and Marcus Beagley (ID).

In the baccalaureate degree division, 黑料吃瓜 competed alongside New Mexico State University, Fresno State University, Kennesaw State University, St. Cloud State University, University of Akron, and NJ Institute of Technology.

The 2016 NSPS baccalaureate division winners were:

1. University of Akron (First Place)
2. 黑料吃瓜 (Second Place)
3. Kennesaw State University (Third Place)

In addition to the national student competition and professional fellowship, the trip included an exhibit hall, a mock trial and educational sessions related to the new technical requirements for surveying under the American Land Title Association/National Society of Professional Surveyors that take effect in 2016.

Students also had the opportunity to engage with members of their state society in a visit to the U.S. Capitol for meetings with legislators and their staff members.

The team would like to thank the 黑料吃瓜 Student Government, NV Association of Land Surveyors, NV Association of Land Surveyors Great Basin Chapter, NV Association of Land Surveyors Lahoton Chapter, Monsen Engineering, John and Gloria Parrish, Alidade Inc, Dioptra LLC, Aspen Engineers, Compass Land Surveying, Bonneville BluePrint, and Paradise Excavation for their generous donations.

The student professional organization known as NSPS NALS 黑料吃瓜 Silver State Student Surveyors Chapter, is a chartered organization of the National Society of Professional Surveyors, the Nevada Association of Land Surveyors, and Great Basin College.

Videos

• 黑料吃瓜 Presentation 2016 NSPS Student Competition:
  View Video
• 黑料吃瓜 (NV) Interview - 2016 NSPS Student Competition:
  View Video
• 2016 NSPS Student Competition Awards:
  View Video