KAEE 50th Annual Conference

Cost: $25 | Ticket purchase required during conference registration.

The Kentucky Geological Survey is hosting a geologic data workshop for educators to learn more about incorporating geo-environmental monitoring data into their classrooms. We will end the workshop with a tour of the archives and lab spaces at the Earth Analysis Research Library.

Geo-environmental monitoring networks are important research infrastructure for many state geological surveys. Large datasets produced by in-situ sensors are amenable for modern earth science instruction at several levels but are sometimes underutilized as educational tools owing to accessibility issues, lack of awareness, or the absence of facilitator networks. This workshop will include an overview of the services and datasets available through the Kentucky Geological Survey’s website and examples of harnessing geo-environmental monitoring data (Groundwater and Landslide) from the Kentucky Geological Survey (KGS) for instruction at the undergraduate level.
Groundwater monitoring wells provide water level elevation logs over time that illustrate water availability in aquifers relative to prevailing weather patterns and human usage (e.g., for agricultural, industrial, or municipal purposes). Landslide monitoring stations convolve elements of hillslope hydrology, geomorphology, and weather patterns to detect slope stability and mass wasting. Harnessing time series data from these geo-environmental monitoring networks provides opportunities for students to develop quantitative reasoning and problem-solving skills in groundwater hydrogeology and environmental and engineering geology. Further, these datasets can help establish a sense of place for students, particularly when the data are used to illustrate the societal relevance and impact of geology.