PADUCAH, Ky. - Local high school students will apply writing, analysis and critical thinking skills to translate a highly technical Paducah Site report for the public.
They recently kicked off the annual project to summarize the EM Paducah Annual Site Environmental Report (ASER).
The students from Marshall County High School in Draffenville, Kentucky observed environmental field activities at the site and adjacent area, and listened to briefings from experts including Jennifer Woodard, the site lead for EM’s Portsmouth/Paducah Project Office; Dr. Steven Price, University of Kentucky Department of Forestry director; and Tim Kreher, West Kentucky Wildlife Management Area manager.
“This annual project allows students to benefit from hands-on experience in the field and classroom learning to assess methods used for cleanup at the site," Woodard said. “EM has a strong team of remediation experts who invest time with these students to improve skills that will be invaluable to their futures."
The site partners with the University of Kentucky on the project.
“DOE and the University of Kentucky have done an outstanding job of introducing our students to the opportunities to understand science and industry right here in west Kentucky," said Tina Marshall, the school’s AP Physics teacher.
The report includes sampling data to measure effects of remediation activities on the environment. Sampling activities include analysis of surface water, groundwater, and soil. The students will present their work to EM in May 2018, and the summary will later be published.
Source: U.S. Dept. of Energy, Office of Environmental Management
