Note: This site is for reviewing legacy plan of work data from 2007-2011. If you are looking for the current plan of work interface, visit pow.nmsu.edu.

Summer Environmental Engineering Research Program

Plan Goal

This plan’s goal is to expose students to the field of Environmental Engineering. This will be done through in—class instruction, field trips, and hands—on testing of water from different sites along the Watershed. Students will use the information they c

Situation Statement

The health of the Gallinas River watershed is extremely important to the City of Las Vegas. The Summer Environmental Engineering class is a 6 week research class in which students conduct water quality research on the Gallinas River watershed and, based on results from biotic communities and water chemistry, draw conclusions about the health of the watershed and present findings and recommendations to interested local organizations.

Target Audience and Actions

The target audience for this plan is Las Vegas City School students, grades 8-10, interested in Environmental Engineering. The scientific method is used to determine a research question, develop a hypothesis, and conduct water quality tests in the field. The water cycle, principles of water use, and the impact humans and other organisms have on the watershed are also addressed. Visits to area water and wastewater treatment plants emphasize the application of engineering projects in water treatment technologies. Ideas are developed about how to improve water quality along the Gallinas River, and the environmental impact of construction and other human use on the stream systems.

Short-Term Objectives

1. Know how to use the scientific method to develop a hypothesis about water quality on 3 different sites on the Gallinas Watershed.
2. Be able to illustrate and identify processes of nutrient cycles, complete chemical tests and identify key indicator species of macro—invertebrates to evaluate stream health.
3. Calculate the water quality index using water chemistry tests and the pollution tolerance index to determine stream health.

Medium-Term Objectives

1. Analyze data, interpret results and draw conclusions.
2. Present results and recommendations for the watershed to the Las Vegas City Schools Board and adminstrators.

Long-Term Objectives

1. Understanding of the impact humans and engineering have on stream health, and
2. Using data collected in previous years to identify trends in stream health.

Evaluation Plan

Evaluation of the program will focus on learning outcomes and participation for students in the program. These are gauged based on daily observations of hands-on activities, student collaborative work, and critical thinking skill as well as participation in presentation of scientific findings and recommendations to community members. Students will be given both a pretest and a post test to better determine pre-existing knowledge as well as knowledge gained through participation in the program.