CNU to Receive $2.6 Million From National Science Foundation
To Support a Research and Science Education Project
News Release - May 6, 2009
Media Contacts:
Lori Jacobs
University Relations
lori.jacobs@cnu.edu
(757) 594-7961
(NEWPORT NEWS, VA) – Christopher Newport University will receive $2.6 million over the next five years from the National Science Foundation through the GK-12 Program. CNU's GK-12 project will focus on linking urban water quality with scientific research and education in the Chesapeake Watershed.
Project partners will include CNU's Department of Biology, Chemistry & Environmental Science and Department of Physics, Computer Science & Engineering; the five high schools of Newport News Public Schools; City of Newport News Department of Engineering; and HR STORM, the storm water education program of the Hampton Roads Planning District Commission.
CNU faculty and students and NNPS high school teachers will guide 9th grade Earth Science students in conducting ecological field studies to determine the environmental health of local urban watersheds. They will build a database for their neighborhoods, which will help the City of Newport News monitor and manage pollution levels entering the James River and Chesapeake Bay.
CNU's President Paul Trible stated: "The University is excited to have this opportunity to address an important environmental concern of our region while educating students. Moreover, this project will further connect our students to the community and provide important opportunities for service learning and leadership."
Dr. Gary Whiting, the project leader at CNU noted: "We hope that this project will be just the beginning of a future where the collaborative integration of science, education, government, private organizations and community will become the means of solving the complex problems we face as a society."
Newport News Mayor Joe Frank said: "I am proud that the City's Engineering Department has joined with Christopher Newport University, the Newport News Public Schools, Hampton Roads STORM, and the National Science Foundation in this exciting initiative to develop our students' environmental science skills and knowledge while creating extensive new data sources that will help our entire community better understand how we affect water quality in the Chesapeake Bay."
Ashby C. Kilgore, Superintendent of Newport News Public Schools, said: "The partnership between Christopher Newport University and Newport News Public Schools will prepare our students to meet the challenges of the 21st century. This initiative will give our students hands-on environmental science skills and knowledge, making them better stewards of our community."
Using their scientific results and assistance from HR STORM, the students will provide information to their communities with the goal of improving water quality in the surrounding lakes and ponds. Project Information and recommendations will be shared with local businesses and residents over the course of this project.
Since its inception in 1999, the National Science Foundation GK-12 Program has funded over 200 projects at universities and organizations across the United States.
Christopher Newport University is a four-year public university in Newport News, Virginia. CNU enrolls 5,000 students in rigorous academic programs through the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences and the Joseph W. Luter III College of Business and Leadership and offers great teaching, small classes and an emphasis on leadership, civic engagement and honor. Visit us at www.cnu.edu.