Title: Leveraging Student Interest in Environmental Topics for Undergraduate Research in an Interdisciplinary Environmental Research Cluster
Abstract: Undergraduates are interested in applied research focusing on environmental issues. To capitalize on this interest, four faculty members at Georgia Gwinnett College formed an interdisciplinary environmental research cluster so as to encourage undergraduate participation in research on these issues. The four cluster faculty include a physicist, chemist, environmental engineer, and environmental toxicologist. The cluster faculty support undergraduate environmental research by sharing resources and students while working on varied aspects of a suite of projects. Over the past five years, more than 50 students have participated in environmental cluster research projects. Student researchers have been 62% women and 48% under-represented groups, as defined by the National Science Foundation. This chapter briefly highlights three recent projects: river water analysis through popular recreational canoe and kayak routes in Georgia; toxic substances air sampling and environmental justice; and production of biodiesel from waste cooking oil and grease from campus dining operations. Biodiesel project details are then presented to illustrate the depth of student research experiences.
Publication Year: 2018
Publication Date: 2018-01-01
Language: en
Type: book-chapter
Indexed In: ['crossref']
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Cited By Count: 1
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