ADDRESSING GEOHAZARDS AND EDUCATING PUBLIC IS PART OF THE CURRICULA

Environmental issues that concern local communities are widely addressed in Geosciences curricula at California University of Pennsylvania. Courses, such as Environmental Geology, Watershed Evaluation, Field Hydrology and Research in Earth Science include local stream assessments, surface water quality monitoring, assessment of drinking water supply, locating and mapping mine pools and other environmental issues related to over 100 years of coal mining in the area as part of the curricula. Data collected by students indicates that Acid Mine Drainage (AMD) is a non-point source pollution that effects not only surface water but local aquifers as well. Contamination of drinking water resources is a serious geohazard that may be related to high incident rate of diseases that statistically higher than National average in several counties in Southwestern Pennsylvania. Water quality data collected and analyzed in laboratory reports, individual and group course projects, term papers and master thesis is used to inform and educate local community about environmental effect of AMD on drinking water quality. Educational projects have two folded benefits. Students gain unique educational opportunities being involved into service-learning projects, residents of the community are being educated as students present results of their studies publishing and distributing Newsletter, via website, and seminars at the township meetings. Local environmental groups benefit as student contribute their time to organizational activities, collect and analyze data, make recommendations, propose future study designs, and staying involved with organizations as officers after the course of study or though internship programs.