Students are back in school, and a new wave of clean water research and education is joining them. West Virginia University Institute of Technology (WVU Tech), Millersville University of Pennsylvania, and Stroud Water Research Center have each secured grants from the U.S. National Science Foundation (NSF) to bring cutting-edge water science into schools across West Virginia and Delaware over the next four years.
The ENVISION project will integrate new technologies and hands-on learning tools to help students explore water quality, freshwater ecosystems, and environmental stewardship. Teachers and students alike will have access to innovative classroom resources to engage with real-world water science.
Totalling more than $1 million, the project will also examine elementary school students’ understanding of local watershed ecosystems and aim to spark interest in environmental STEM (E-STEM) careers. Building on an existing curriculum called Shared Waters, teachers and researchers will integrate spatial computing technologies, such as augmented reality (AR), virtual reality (VR), mixed reality, and artificial intelligence (AI) into classroom lessons.
“We hope that students who participate in this project will develop a deeper interest in STEM and E-STEM fields,” said Tamara Floyd Smith, Ph.D., Vice President of Academic Affairs and project lead for WVU Tech and Shared Waters. “ENVISION will provide resources to train teachers, provide classroom supplies, and fund field trips to make learning science fun for West Virginia and Delaware elementary students.”
In addition to classroom instruction, the project will evaluate how these technologies impact student learning outcomes, engagement, and long-term interest in E-STEM careers.
“This collaborative grant has been in development for over a year,” said Nanette Marcum-Dietrich, Ph.D., project lead for Millersville University and Shared Waters.
“Career avatars, augmented reality, mixed reality, and artificial intelligence will be embedded into the curriculum and studied for effects on student excitement in learning watershed science, academic performance, and interest in STEM careers,” said Steve Kerlin, Ph.D., director of education and project lead for Stroud Water Research Center and Shared Waters.
“Our goal is to connect students to the science in their own backyards. By combining watershed education with spatial computing, we’re creating experiences that are both hands-on and high-tech,” says Marcum-Dietrich. “As someone who grew up in southern West Virginia, this project is deeply personal to me. ENVISION is a chance to give back to my childhood home, to the people and the land that shaped who I am.”
“By providing a way for integrating spatial computing into elementary environmental education, this project enhances not only educational excellence and student outcomes, but also helps build a pipeline of future STEM professionals,” Floyd Smith added.
The project officially began on September 15, with classroom implementation planned for April and May. A workshop for interested teachers will be held in March. Teachers of grades 3–5 who participate in the project will receive a stipend of $1,800. In West Virginia, schools in southern West Virginia are invited to participate, but any educator in West Virginia who is interested is able to participate. Teachers will receive professional development, classroom-ready lessons through the Shared Waters curriculum, materials, and financial support to integrate and directly support their learning goals.
Educators interested in participating in this project should contact Nanette Marcum-Dietrich by emailing ndietrich@millersville.edu.
This material is based upon work supported by the National Science Foundation under Award Nos. 2445738, 2445737, and 2445736. Any opinions, findings and conclusions or recommendations expressed in this material are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of the National Science Foundation.
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About West Virginia University Institute of Technology
WVU Tech has been training leaders for 130 years. Ranked in the top 15% of earning potential in the country by PayScale and #1 in West Virginia for return on investment, WVU Tech has a reputation for producing career-ready leaders in the engineering, humanities, business and healthcare industries.
About Millersville University
Millersville University (MU) of Pennsylvania is a top-ranked public university located in picturesque Lancaster County, in the northeast region of the United States. Founded in 1855 as the first Normal School in Pennsylvania, Millersville remains dedicated to combining tradition with innovation while honoring its heritage of preparing teachers. It is committed to offering students a high-quality, comprehensive university experience of exceptional value. Dedicated to providing nationally recognized programs that embrace the liberal arts, Millersville offers academic opportunities that are supported by outstanding faculty who are accomplished scholars and practitioners. Millersville University is one of 10 universities within the Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education.
About Stroud Water Research Center
For more than half a century, Stroud Water Research Center has focused on the science of rivers and streams. In its mission to advance knowledge and stewardship of freshwater systems through global research, education, and watershed restoration, the Stroud Center produces the trusted science needed for successful stream and river conservation while fostering people’s passion for the water in their lives. The Stroud Center is an independent, 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization. stroudcenter.org
CONTACT:
Molly Farrell
Assistant Director, University Relations
West Virginia University Institute of Technology
O: 304-929-1402, C: 304-673-5772
mbates1@mail.wvu.edu
Mary Dolheimer
Senior Director of Public Relations, University Communications and Marketing
Millersville University
O: 717-871-7870
mary.dolheimer@millersville.edu
Jennifer Merrill, Ph.D.
Director of Marketing and Communications
Stroud Water Research Center
970 Spencer Road, Avondale, PA 19311
O: 610-910-0043; C: 302-241-3250
jmerrill@stroudcenter.org
Diane Huskinson
Associate Director of Communications
Stroud Water Research Center
970 Spencer Road, Avondale, PA 19311
O: 610-910-0048; C: 717-383-1179
dhuskinson@stroudcenter.org
