Research Information
- O.U.R. Research Program: Undergraduate Research Assistant Program (UGRAP)
- Major(s): Civil Engineering, Minor in Sustainable Engineering
- Anticipated graduation year: Spring 2021
- Title: Growing awareness of environmental quality in ASGM communities through youth environmental education
- Faculty Research Mentor: Dr. Kathleen Smits
- Faculty Academic Department: Civil Engineering
Abstract
The main goal of this project is to encourage the audience to think about one’s relationship with the environment through the use of water quality activities and lessons. Specific learning outcomes include understanding what water quality is and how it is measured, how pollutants move through the environment, and what sources may exist locally. The learning material is prepared for a middle-school student learning level. Giving these lessons to students and other members of the community can help shift the mindset revolving around environmental health and hopefully help address local contamination issues, including mercury from artisan small scale gold mining (ASGM). This important industry produces over 20% of the world’s gold, however at the consequence of causing the release of dangerous pollutants that have caused major public health crises in ASGM communities. Research aimed at decreasing contamination exposure to the public and the environment has taken place, but there is no one-size fits all option. Real, sustainable change begins within the community itself. This project uses educational programming developed for ASGM communities in hopes of increasing awareness of pollution, one’s connection to the environment, and associated environmental health issues.