Contact: Maridith Geuder
MSU biological scientist Chris Taylor discusses stream ecology with CREST students (second from left to right) Alex Rowe, Kate Henson, Reed Chandler, and David Hatcher.
.--During a two-week program at Mississippi State, approximately 15 middle school teachers and students have been "up to their ankles" in water as they studied ecology and other geosciences topics.
All are participants in the third annual Career and Research Exploration for Students and Teachers, a National Science Foundation-funded summer program at the university that concluded this week. CREST is designed to expose both education's givers and receivers to the physical sciences while demonstrating the many benefits of research.
"They've been on site at the Red Hills Mine near Ackerman to see firsthand how a real-world enterprise uses research in ecology, geology and other areas," said physics professor and program founder Sandra H. Harpole. "Our purpose is to provide opportunities that will promote the study of environmental science."
Harpole, who also directs MSU's Center for Science, Mathematics and Technology, said exposing students to potential career opportunities in science and engineering is another goal of the NSF-sponsored effort.
Targeted to students and teachers in grades 6-8, CREST is restricted to residents of six East Central Mississippi counties that surround the Red Hills mine. They include Choctaw--where the Mississippi Lignite Mining Co.-operated facility is located--Attala, Montgomery, Oktibbeha, Webster, and Winston.
In addition to classroom lessons, the student-teacher group received hands-on experiences in the measurement of stream-flow quality, as well as rudimentary surveying, water quality testing and ground contouring activities, said Michael D. Thomas, Red Hills manager of land, government and public affairs.
"They learn about scientific resources and the environment, especially our activities at Red Hills Mine," he said. The company considers CREST an excellent opportunity to demonstrate to area citizens Red Hill's commitment to environmental safety and quality of life, he added.
Teachers participating in this summer's outreach program said wading in a stream on the Red Hills site has given them valuable new insights for their classrooms. Joni McCulloch, who will teach at Ackerman Elementary School this fall, said she has received a new appreciation for water quality research.
"We've seen how Red Hills conducts water quality testing and how the company incorporates animal life," McCulloch said. "I'll use this experience to develop experiments that let youngsters discover what affects water quality, including a simple exercise in what kinds of materials hold water."
McCulloch also will be emphasizing ecology-related professions to members of her elementary classes. "I'll let students know about careers that draw on these skills," she said.
NEWS EDITORS/DIRECTORS: For additional information on CREST, contact Dr. Harpole at (662) 325-3570 or sharpole@research.msstate.edu.
In addition to McCulloch, other CREST 2003 participants include (by school):
ACKERMAN ELEMENTARY SCHOOL--Teacher Linda King and students Reed Chandler, Kate Henson, Kenny Jones, Meghan McCulloch, and Tori McCulloch.
WINSTON ACADEMY (LOUISVILLE)--Teacher Jamie Calvert and students Nathan Calvert, Paul David Hatcher and Andrew Mitchell.
STARKVILLE ACADEMY--Teacher Alicia Cowart and students Joel Huber and Alex Rowe.