Urbanization and Water Quality

This course will focus on the effects of urbanization on water quality. Students will learn the trade offs between population growth and water quality and make a plan to mitigate the threats growing cities pose to our water supply.

Students will take two local field trips. During each trip, students will take measurements of both chemical and biological indicators of water quality. We will then discuss the effects of urbanization on the river. Using this information, we will explore ways to mitigate the effects that Urbanization has on stream quality. Then, students will become independent consultants to a new theme park in the State of North Carolina and be tasked with making a plan to protect local waterways from the detrimental effects of building a new theme park in the area.

I’m a National Board Certified teacher with over twenty years of experience mostly in middle school science. I’ve been married for almost twenty five years and have three boys ages thirteen, fifteen, and eighteen. I have pastored a small church in Hickory for three years. My undergrad degree is in Atmospheric Science and I have a Masters in School Administration from Western Carolina University.