Students in our program apply what they learn through authentic experiences that are thoughtfully and intentionally crafted by faculty to provide a more comprehensive understanding and transferrable skillset. Some examples are provided below.
Water Quality Testing with Salt River Watershed Watch
Students in our introductory Environmental Science classes collect data to better understand how human systems and natural systems interact. The data are used by the citizen-science organization Salt River Watershed Watch to inform watershed management
planning at the state level.
Paleontology at the Falls of the Ohio
Students in Dr. Bulinski’s Paleontology class learn important field data collection skills and knowledge on how the past informs the present.
Community Engagement with Common Earth Gardens
Students in Dr. Carlson Mazur’s Sustainable Development class work with Common Earth Gardens of Catholic Charities, an organization dedicated to connecting refugees with land to grow food and build successful farm businesses and community networks.
Students gain real-life skills in urban agriculture while interviewing refugees, logging with crop inventories, and assisting at farmers markets.
Eastern Kentucky Field Trip
Students in Prof. Strobo’s Environmental Law and Policy course and Dr. Bulinski’s Environmental Geology course participate in an overnight field trip to Eastern Kentucky, where they examine the geologic, cultural, and policy aspects of coal
mining and restoration and talk with alumni who now work in the field.
Wetland Restoration with Passionist Earth & Spirit Center
Students have the opportunity in our program to conduct independent research under the guidance of a faculty member. Dr. Carlson Mazur works closely with students and with our community partner, the Passionist Earth & Spirit Center, to monitor the
restoration of two wetlands near campus. Students have studied how land use, hydrology, water quality, plants, insects, amphibians, and birds interact and change over time.