STEM East

Dr. Terri L. Woods, Professor Emeritus at East Carolina University, will offer the following professional development for teachers:

The lives of eastern North Carolinians are significantly impacted by oceans, rivers, and groundwater. Wherever we are, we are seldom farther than a few hundred yards from a stream, the ocean or a sound. Hurricanes and mainland floods painfully remind us it is not enough to live near bodies of surface water, it is also necessary to live with them. Also, approximately half the North Carolina population, and everyone on the OBX, gets their water from groundwater. As population growth continues, many areas have been subjected to restrictions governing water withdrawal from aquifers and streams - and infrastructure encroachment on rivers and groundwater-recharge areas can threaten water quality. In addition, the NC coast is impacted by sea-level rise and other marine processes. Beach erosion and frequent flooding of coastal areas requires citizens to make difficult decisions about preserving infrastructure. So, an understanding of the distribution, movement, and exploitation of water in the hydrosphere helps citizens: 1) make wise decisions before they purchase property, 2) assess factors that affect the quality, cost, and availability of water supplies, and 3) influence the decisions of government officials regarding land and water use associated with rivers, groundwater, and the ocean. Finally, many STEM jobs in eastern North Carolina such as geologists, hydrologists, geological technicians, and environmental scientists require a thorough understanding of the hydrosphere.

If you would like to see the online materials I have available for these topics please go to my ECU CANVAS site at: https://ecu.instructure.com/courses/10299

This event is intended for up to 15 participants. An online meeting link will be provided to those who register.