UNDERGRADUATE RESEARCH IN OUR COMMUNITY: DEVELOPMENT OF A SUCCESSFUL LOW COST PROGRAM TO MEASURE RADON CONCENTRATIONS IN THE PALOS VERDES PENINSULA UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT, PALOS VERDES ESTATES, CALIFORNIA

Successful undergraduate research typically faces a number of major obstacles such as lack of formal training, research expertise, laboratory access, and funding. However, solutions to many important questions may not require extensive formal training or large research budgets. With experienced guidance, diligent background literature work, careful choice of problem, and an understanding of the political and legal issues, opportunities for undergraduates can be found and developed into legitimate research efforts with only minimal funding.

Some major considerations in structuring a successful research program include laboratory equipment, analysis costs, class work/training, literature search capabilities, political and legal ramifications, and the amount of time available. Trade-offs typically occur between these elements in all stages of a project. Laboratory location, the amount and type of measurements required, and internal data quality tests are also important aspects.

We present a comprehensive PERT chart summarizing the critical issues and steps taken in the development of a low cost research effort to quantify radon concentrations in a local California school district. Early discussions with the California Department of Health Services provided sound program guidance and were essential in securing state-funded analytical support. We obtained district approval after submitting a detailed proposal and initial meetings to discuss student health risk issues, potential legal ramifications, and program cost estimates.

A number of classrooms exhibited unexpectedly high radon levels, and this discovery was pivotal in enlisting the participation of the U.S. Geological Survey for soil analysis and geophysical expertise. The district is currently formulating a community education program in an effort to encourage radon measurements in homes. The results are applicable to other populated regions with similar geology, and to date have produced two accepted papers.