Dr. Tiffany Messer, Associate Professor in Biosystems and Agricultural Engineering at the University of Kentucky, recently visited Mr. Scott Cronin’s Agriculture Class. The University of Kentucky wrote a federal grant to offer a learning project with high schools across the state. The project allows students to research and gain understanding to improve the sustainability of production systems, decrease or eliminate environmental hazards and preserve natural resources. Assistant Principal Nika Ball shared, “We are thrilled that Mr. Cronin’s class was selected to participate in a wetlands study conducted by the University of Kentucky!”
Mr. Cronin introduced Dr. Messer and the project she would be explaining by saying, “Soil is one of the largest filters in the world.” Dr. Messer spent time with the class explaining the project and instructed students on how to track the process of how floating treatment wetlands have the potential to provide water treatment.
Muhlenberg County High School is fortunate to be a part of this hands-on learning project. Students will continue measuring changes in the floating treatment wetlands contained in several fish bowls over two weeks as fertilizer is added along with contaminants. At the end of the experiment, students will be able to compare results of nitrate removal and changes in the water chemistry. The class will plan a field trip to the University of Kentucky later in the year.
