Teaching Assistants (TA) are needed for a 4-week long summer program, the MIT Beaver Works Summer Institute, being taught virtually. The Remote Sensing for Disaster Response course will teach students to use Geospatial Information Systems (GIS) tools, aerial and satellite imagery, image analysis techniques, network science, and optimization to make informed response decisions. Over an intensive 4-week program, participants will learn to analyze geospatial data and remotely sensed multispectral imagery, build and deploy a hardware multispectral imaging platform, learn domain knowledge from disaster response agencies, and use optimization techniques to make informed response decisions.

Over the course, students will learn about Python, data science, GIS, multispectral imaging, image processing, network science, and optimization. Labs will focus on developing, understanding, and implementing these concepts toward a final exercise: a mock disaster response. For the final exercise, students must analyze storm predictions to make evacuation decisions prior to a hurricane. Once the hurricane hits, students must assess the damage and make decisions to repair and resupply key infrastructure components to ensure the safety of a simulated population. The program runs from July 5 to August 1, 2021, Monday to Friday, from 8AM to 5PM at MIT Beaver Works, and is being taught virtually.

Job Requirements

· Undergraduate student in engineering, science, and/or math course of study

· Expertise in Python for STEM applications (numpy, pandas)

· Teaching, mentorship, and/or other leadership experience

· Demonstrated excellence in communication skills, especially regarding technical concepts

· Interest and eagerness in addressing disaster response applications

Desired Skills

· Familiarity with GIS, data science, image processing, machine learning, network science, raspberry pi’s, and/or optimization techniques are highly desired

· Experience with the Linux operating system