IMMERSING STUDENTS INTO WATER RESEARCH: UTILIZING OVER A DECADE WELL FIELD DATA

Most people hardly think about their source of potable water in US except when there is a problem with either the distribution system or an accident within the intake of their raw water supply. In order to help students, reflect (sources, supply and availability), some aspect of the study about water has been added to various courses, ranging from entry introductory level physical geology, wetlands, environmental conservation, environmental geology, to advance hydrogeology courses. In other to ‘lead” them to water, a well field well was established along the bank of a river that runs through the IPFW campus. Depending on the level of the course, students were required to either visit the well field to collect/conduct experiment or analyze already existing data from the well field.

The well field has been in operation for over a decade and with water data being collected regularly that include the depth to groundwater, temperature, conductivity, and pH are collected regularly while other chemical parameters like nitrate, nitrite, phosphate, iron, chlorine are collected irregularly. Several hydrogeology students have conducted independent research in the well field and have presented their data/findings in local, regional, and national conferences. The instructor has also presented some data/findings at conferences; as well as use the data in class discussions and presentations. The current data from 2004 through May of 2017 shows an increase in groundwater temperature within the well field, while the water levels continue to rise. Some students’ presentations will be highlighter during presentation.