The United States Geological Survey Water Resources Research Act Program: Grant Details for Project 2018MI249B

Details for Project ID 2018MI249B

Michigan Water Resources Continuing Education Learning Modules

Institute: Michigan
Year Established: 2018 Start Date: 2018-03-01 End Date: 2019-02-28
Total Federal Funds: $30,609 Total Non-Federal Funds: $106,138

Principal Investigators: Darrell Donahue, Steven Safferman

Project Summary: Problem: State agencies as well as local community professionals involved in water resources need to remain current on the latest methods, materials and regulations related to overall water management. The Michigan State University (MSU) Institute of Water Research (IWR) serves as a boundary organization between many different organizations throughout the upper mid-West and specifically with issues related to the Great Lakes region. As such, IWR has provided technical guidance concerning both water quality and quantity as well as education related to these. The Michigan Water Environment Association (MWEA) approached IWR to develop online learning modules that to be offered to their expanding membership as well as other professionals and entities focused on water issues throughout the mid-West. Methods: The Biosystems & Agricultural Engineering (BAE) department at MSU has subject matter expertise to develop these learning materials and will collaborate with the MWEA advisory board to further develop the subject matter focused on industry practitioners. The faculty and graduate student(s) will develop these modules using the state-of-the-art online delivery technology available through MSU. As the learning modules are being developed the faculty/graduate students will interact with the MWEA board to make sure the subject content is delivered in the appropriate format(s) and is usable by practitioners in the industry. Objectives: 1) Develop current content learning modules focused on issues around watersheds and water quality/quantity 2) Deliver the learning modules from (1) in the state-of-the-art interactive/online format for ease of use by industry practitioners.