UW-Stevens Point's Groundwater Model Project educates around the world
It may look like an
ant farm, but a groundwater flow model built by students at the University of
Wisconsin-Stevens Point is helping people around the world learn how underground
contaminants and groundwater flow affects the water we use for drinking,
agriculture and recreation.
UW-Stevens Point’s Groundwater Model
Project has been supplying these portable, interactive tools to other
universities, school districts and environmental education centers worldwide
since 1984. A nonprofit business of the American Water Resources Association
(AWRA) student chapter, the project has five student employees who build and
sell 40 to 60 of the acrylic models a year.
Nearly 400 schools and nature
centers have received free models by attending workshops offered through UW
Extension’s Center for Watershed Science and Education and the Wisconsin
Geological and Natural History Survey. Numerous environmental groups have
funded this program since 2001.
In addition to the United States, models
have been sold in Australia, Canada, Columbia, Denmark, Mexico, New Zealand and
Poland.
“People think that groundwater is
inexhaustible,” said Abbie Lee, a senior fisheries and water resources major
from River Falls who is a past co-president of AWRA and the project’s
coordinator. “Our models demonstrate the many ways groundwater is affected by
different types of pollution, well pumping and soil types. It’s a great way to
help educators teach people about keeping groundwater safe in their
communities.”
The models were originally created
on a larger scale by Jim Peterson of UW-Extension and Ron Hennings of the
Wisconsin Geological and Natural History Survey. The late Water Resources
Professor Byron Shaw had the idea for AWRA students to create portable
versions, and various professors have carried out the project through the
years.
Each model takes three to five days
to make. The students add rocks, sand, clay and water to clear acrylic cases to
represent piezometers (which represents water table elevation), pumped wells,
lakes or rivers, landfills and types of aquifers (permeable rock or soil that
contains or transmits groundwater). Each part is labeled then sent along with a
stand, manual, instructional DVD, water bottle and stopper and additional
labels. Accessories such as a rain simulator, carrying case and replacement
parts are also available.
When used as a teaching tool,
additional water and dyes can be added to different parts of the models to show
how changes in water table elevation and pollution from different sources can
affect the groundwater supply.
While the goal of the models is to
educate the community, students at UW-Stevens Point benefit as well. All
profits from model sales pay for the student workers as well as fund guest
speakers for AWRA events.
“This is the coolest job to have as
a student,” said Lee. “We have flexible hours and we know what we are doing is
making a difference.”
Lee learned firsthand about the
importance of clean groundwater while fishing with her dad and growing up near
the Kinnickinnic River. She also took a stream ecology course in high school,
which led her to pursuing her degree at UW-Stevens Point.
“My interests in water have grown
over the years from biology-based work to chemistry and hydrology,” she said.
“UW-Stevens Point offers a well-rounded program that shows how everything is
interconnected.”
Lee has also taken part in the
College of Natural Resources Undergraduate Research Symposium and attended
professional conferences through AWRA where she had opportunities to network
with water resources professionals.
“I’ve had so many more opportunities
at UW-Stevens Point than I ever imagined,” she said. “I’ve been able to take
what I’ve learned in the classroom and share it with people.”
To learn more about the Groundwater Model
Project, go to www.uwsp.edu/cnr/gmp or email gwmproj@uwsp.edu.
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