Bowling Green, Ky. - Faculty and students from Western Kentucky University’s Department of Geography and Geology attended the 118th annual meeting of the Geological Society of America Oct. 22-25 in Philadelphia.
With approximately 6,200 geoscientists from around the world in attendance, students especially had a wonderful opportunity to listen to new research ideas, see cutting-edge technology applied to research problems, and engage with the types of issues that geologists, geographers and others address around the nation and across the globe.

Several graduates and undergraduates participated in the trip, including WKU Honors program students, anthropology major Courtney Mims of Bowling Green, geography major Jane Marie Wix of Brandenburg, and mathematics major Joshua Wright of Bowling Green. Undergraduate geology major Ryan Sprouse of Bowling Green and geoscience graduate student Jennifer Burns of Bowling Green also attended the conference.

While in Philadelphia, students participated in a GSA-sponsored public forum on “Understanding Climate Change” and attended several technical sessions addressing various climate change issues. Students were exposed to cutting edge research and up-to-the-minute information on global climate change.  

The Honors trip was led by Margaret Crowder, a geology instructor in the Department of Geography and Geology. “This was an excellent opportunity for these Honors students to interact with some widely recognized scientists from around the country.  They asked insightful questions and truly got a glimpse into the actual science behind global climate change,” Crowder said.  She is teaching an Honors Colloquium course this semester titled “Climate Change – Global Catastrophe or Global Conspiracy?”

The Honors group was also able to explore a little of the city of Philadelphia and see some of the historical locations associated with the birthplace of U.S. democracy.  Students visited the Liberty Bell, Congress Hall, Old City Hall, Philosophical Hall and Independence Hall, site of the signing of the Declaration of Independence
Several faculty members presented the results of research at the conference.

Dr. Nick Crawford, director of the Center for Cave and Karst Studies, presented “Detection of Bedrock Caves, Regolith Voids, and Clandestine Tunnels: Microgravity and Electrical Resistivity Techniques,” developed in partnership with Dr. Stacy Wilson in the Engineering Department, and with co-authors geoscience graduate student Gina Cesin of Florida and Staff Scientist Leigh Ann Croft of the Center.  Their paper highlighted advances in void detection techniques using a sophisticated robot developed at WKU.

Dr. Andrew Wulff presented “Teaching Analytical Techniques early to prepare undergraduate students for research and post-graduate success.” His research stems from a new geology course “Analytical Techniques in Geology” introduced in fall 2005 as part of a significant restructuring of the geology curriculum to incorporate more project-based learning experiences for students.

Dr. Stephen Kenworthy, with co-authors Dr. Chris Groves of WKU’s Hoffman Institute and Joe Meiman of Mammoth Cave National Park, presented “Water and Suspended Solids Flux Monitoring in a Karst Conduit, Turnhole Springs Basin, Mammoth Cave, Kentucky.” This paper resulted from research conducted along the Green River with students and faculty in the Department of Geography and Geology.

Geoscience Graduate Student Juan Herrera of Colombia, with co-authors Dr. Steve Kenworthy and Dr. Chris Groves, presented his master’s thesis research titled “Warm Season, Storm-Scale Hydrochemical Variations in Logsdon River, Mammoth Cave System, Kentucky” in a Sigma Gamma Epsilon Student Research session
Two participants in the WKU-REU (National Science Foundation’s Research Experiences for Undergraduates) summer 2006 program also presented their research results at the conference. They were Charles Trodick from Cornell College, Iowa, and Carla Ziegler from SUNY Binghampton.

“A strong presence by WKU students and faculty at this premier national geoscience meeting is indicative of the level of student engagement in project-based learning in the department,” noted David Keeling, Geography and Geology Department Head. “One of the department’s long-term goals is to engage more students in applied research that can be presented at local, national and international meetings such as the GSA. Students always have such a wonderful learning experience at these professional meetings and begin to understand the world of opportunities available to them in the geosciences.”

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For information, contact David Keeling at (270) 745-4555.

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