Water Resources Research Act Program

Details for Project ID 2012RI107B

Clean Water Outreach in Rhode Island

Institute: Rhode Island
Year Established: 2012 Start Date: 2012-03-01 End Date: 2013-02-28
Total Federal Funds: $16,093 Total Non-Federal Funds: $32,284

Principal Investigators: Harold Knickle, Geoffrey Bothun

Abstract: The two main activities of this project both involve outreach to the Rhode Island community. The first is to create and continue annual conferences to provide background and knowledge for working professionals in the clean water fields, and to educate graduate and undergraduate students in the scope of the clean water field. This ongoing Rhode Island conference series on clean drinking water will be promoted and held at the University of Rhode Island. The conference will focus on both policy and technical aspects associated with providing clean water in the state of Rhode Island. The topic of water resource conservation will also be included in the conference. For students, the conference will promote interest in professions associated with clean water, and provide a chance to network with professionals in attendance. Professionals will also benefit from the conference, taking away a knowledge of current projects around the state and region. Previous conferences have been very successful with more than 70 people in attendance. The second major activity of this project is the hosting of a summer workshop, at the University of Rhode Island, for middle and high school students. The workshop will introduce students to clean water concepts using lectures, laboratories, and field trips to promote interest in clean water careers. Students from at least two high schools will be recruited for this week long laboratory oriented engineering and science activity. Previous high school programs have been very successful with about 30 high school students attending and participating in a lecture/laboratory sequence involving water science. Two major objectives have been set for this project. The first goal is to advance awareness and knowledge of the importance of clean water in Rhode Island by hosting a major Clean Water Conference. This conference will provide insight into the various factors affecting the ability to obtain clean water for multiple uses in Rhode Island. It will also provide background and knowledge for the work of professionals in the clean water fields. At the conference graduate students will be encouraged to take courses in environmental areas and undergraduates will be encouraged to consider pursuing degrees related to the clean water profession. The second major activity is the hosting of a summer workshop at the University of Rhode Island for middle and high school students. The summer workshop will introduce students to clean water concepts with a goal of promoting interest in clean water STEM disciplines and clean water careers.