Texas Tech University T-STEM Center
Texas Tech University T-STEM Center
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Green Engineering

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Uncover the greener side of engineering.

Discover the earth-friendly side of engineering in this workshop that takes a closer look at the ecological connections between science and engineering.

Participants will apply the engineering design model and work with science and engineering experts in a project-based challenged designed to reclaim polluted water and treat it for human consumption. Teams will engage in a real-life scenario to collect water contaminated by run-off from a local watershed. Then they will design a filtering system to produce water samples that meet state water treatment requirements.

Relevant chemistry and biology concepts including pH, coagulation, flocculation, sedimentation and disinfection will be covered in activities designed to provide foundation knowledge for participants. Teams will also use inquiry techniques to determine surface area ratios, materials for construction, chemical concentrations and other metrics required by their filter designs.

Instructional content covered in this workshop is designed to achieve selected science TAKS and be integrated into existing science courses.

Details

  • Dates: July 14-17, 2008
  • Location: Texas Tech University, Lubbock
  • Grade Levels: 6-12

What You Take Home

  • Garmin eTrex® handheld GPS ($106.24 value)
  • Experience using the engineering design model to address an environmental problem
  • Knowledge of watershed ecology and strategies for analyzing watershed ecosystems
  • Experience mapping locations and analyzing data gathered by GPS units and GIS systems
  • 2.4 continuing education units (CEUs) from Texas Tech University
  • 24 hours Texas State Board for Educator Certification (SBEC) Continuing Professional Education (CPE) credit

About the Instructors

Susan Talkmitt

Susan Talkmitt is the associate director of curriculum and instruction for the T-STEM Center. Susan has developed model curriculum and presented hundreds of workshops across the nation. In recognition of her contributions to K-12 science education, she received the 2007 Skoog Cup from the Science Teachers Association of Texas.

As an instructor in the College of Education, Susan teaches science methods courses for secondary and elementary pre-service teachers as well as a secondary education curriculum course. She is also an associate director of the Center for the Integration of Science and Education Research (CISER) at Texas Tech University.

This is Susan's second year to train teachers with the T-STEM Center.

Art Benefiel

Art Benefiel is a Professor of Forestry and Geographic Information Systems (GIS) at Central Oregon Community College in Oregon. As a faculty member in the Department of Computer and Information Systems, Art teaches an array of geography courses including Geographic Information Systems, GeoDatabase Design and Analysis of Spatial Data.

Art's research interests include using GIS to manage our natural resources. He has taught GIS courses for Wildland Fire Managers at Colorado State University and holds a master's degree in Forest Resources from the University of Washington.

This is Art's first year to collaborate with the T-STEM Center.

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