– submitted by Christi Standley
Terrie Litzenberger instructs the students prior to going down to the creek for data collection
The College of Natural Resources offers an abundance of opportunities for students to learn through hands-on experiences!
Recently, students in the Environmental Technology and Management major trekked out to Rocky Branch Creek, which is conveniently located on NC State’s campus. Students actively participated in measuring water quality parameters at four locations along the creek.
The Environmental Technology and Management program focuses on the biological and chemical mechanisms of environmental processes and prepares students to minimize and manage pollution and to solve complex environmental problems. Water Quality is one of the seven labs that Environmental Technology and Management students can choose to take.
On this particular rainy day for the Rocky Branch Creek exercise, students gathered information about their environmental surroundings, while they recorded data collected using a variety of sensitive instruments to test water quality. The students practiced the preciseness needed when recording data to include date, time, location, the person taking the measurement, and other important information. After collecting the data, the students returned to the lab, where they tested the water for E. coli bacteria.
Students collecting water quality data
Through this experience, students used field and laboratory instruments for monitoring water quality. On a daily basis, students gain real-life, hands-on experience to practice managing, analyzing, interpreting, and reporting environmental data sets. This is just one more example of how students in the College of Natural Resources are learning real-world skills through hands-on experiences.
Analyzing water samples taken that day for pathogens