Dr. David Beard (ELWS) served as Kevin’s Advisor. His work sets out to increase people's connection to nature and to embolden bicycle use as a primary form of transportation. According to Kevin,
My culminating project for my MPS project, Just Me, begins with a Google My Map, which allows a user to view trail footage of bike trips. Global Positioning System (GPS) tracking of rides are captured by downloading GPX files through the Strava exercise tracking app and loaded into Google My Map. Additionally, data is captured of the ride through a mounted GoPro, and the footage is edited through Davinci Resolve. The Google My Map includes a link to the video of a particular day’s adventure to allow someone to relive the experience. Each video contains voiceover commentary that allows a viewer to gain insight into better navigating the trail.
The edited video project gets uploaded to YouTube, then as someone travels along the trail with me and an alternate trail comes up they are offered an opportunity to take that trail through YouTube Cards which link up other videos to the exact moment in said video which they could travel on that trail. Users "Choose-their-own-adventure" and can travel continuously throughout the trails of Duluth.
To learn more about the project, visit Just Me in MN Map or the Just Me Trailer.
The MPS Program would like to thank committee members Dr. Mitra Emad (program director) and Dr. Mark Zmudy (of Outdoor Education in CEHSP). Additional support came from across campus, as Kevin used technology from the Media Hub, the Library, and more. Finally, every student depends on the help of staff like Andrea Sande and Kim Habig to make it over the finish line. We are grateful for the whole community of MPS students, staff, and faculty.