Potomac Environmental Research and Education Center / en After historic sewage spill, 911爆料 researchers monitor for long-term impacts with support from NSF grant /news/2026-09/after-historic-sewage-spill-george-mason-researchers-monitor-long-term-impacts-support <span>After historic sewage spill, 911爆料 researchers monitor for long-term impacts with support from NSF grant</span> <span><span>sholla4</span></span> <span><time datetime="2026-09-24T10:59:50-04:00" title="Thursday, September 24, 2026 - 10:59">Thu, 09/24/2026 - 10:59</time> </span> <div class="layout layout--gmu layout--twocol-section layout--twocol-section--70-30"> <div class="layout__region region-first"> <div data-block-plugin-id="field_block:node:news_release:body" class="block block-layout-builder block-field-blocknodenews-releasebody"> <div class="field field--name-body field--type-text-with-summary field--label-visually_hidden"> <div class="field__label visually-hidden">Body</div> <div class="field__item"><p><span class="intro-text">On January 19, 2026, a sewer line in Montgomery County, Maryland, collapsed. More than 240 million gallons of wastewater overflowed into the Potomac River. It was one of the largest sewage spills in United States history, right in 911爆料's backyard.</span></p> <p>While a temporary fix to the pipe was completed in March and DC Water continues to actively remediate the area, questions of long-term impact to this distinctive tidal freshwater estuary system linger. The team at 911爆料's <a href="https://perec.science.gmu.edu/">Potomac Environmental Research and Education Center</a> (PEREC) hopes to find answers.</p> <p>This summer, seven 911爆料 researchers received a RAPID grant of $299,886 from the National Science Foundation (NSF) to investigate how the sewage spill may have impacted water quality, aquatic life, and the overall health of the estuary. Led by co-PIs <a href="https://science.gmu.edu/directory/amy-fowler">Amy Fowler</a>, associate professor and interim director of PEREC, and <a href="https://science.gmu.edu/directory/jennifer-salerno">Jennifer Salerno</a>, associate professor of environmental science and policy and faculty fellow at PEREC, the grant team includes environmental science and policy faculty <a href="https://science.gmu.edu/directory/t-reid-nelson">Thomas Reid Nelson</a>, <a href="https://science.gmu.edu/directory/cynthia-smith">Cindy Smith</a>, and <a href="https://science.gmu.edu/directory/rosalina-stancheva-christova">Rosalina Christova</a>, as well as <a href="https://science.gmu.edu/directory/brittany-hupp">Brittany Hupp</a>, assistant professor of atmospheric, oceanic and earth sciences, and <a href="https://science.gmu.edu/directory/benoit-van-aken">Benoit Van Aken</a>, associate professor of chemistry and biochemistry.</p> <figure role="group"> <div> <div class="field field--name-image field--type-image field--label-hidden field__item"> <img loading="lazy" src="/sites/default/files/2026-09/260909096.jpg" width="1000" height="667" alt="A student in life vest leans over the side of a boat as she researches sewage water in the Potomac"> </div> </div> <figcaption>Students and alumni collect water samples in Gunston Cove for PEREC researchers. Photo by Evan Cantwell/Office of University Branding</figcaption> </figure> <p>One defining feature of PEREC鈥攁nd the reason why this team was awarded the NSF grant鈥攊s its historical record of Gunston Cove water samples dating back to 1984. That data is invaluable in a project like this, as it gives the researchers points of comparison. And prior to receiving the NSF grant, the team was already taking samples, with support of seed funding from the <a href="https://science.gmu.edu/">College of Science</a>, to start tracking the effects of the sewage spill as early as February 2026. &nbsp;</p> <p>"We have 11 different sampling locations where we sample water quality and organisms each month," said Fowler. Their partners in the Potomac River Keeper Network, the Smithsonian Environmental Research Center, and others are also aiding in sampling along the river.</p> <p>Water quality monitoring includes standard measures such as temperature, salinity, clarity, and nutrients. The team is including a few additional measures. Checking for traces of PFAS, the chemical used on Teflon pans, is one addition, led by Van Aken. Hupp is monitoring heavy metals.</p> <p>The team is also utilizing new technology: environmental DNA (eDNA). Macro- and microscopic species leave detectable traces of DNA as they interact with and move through the environment. Through an environmental sample鈥攕uch as a water sample鈥攔esearchers can detect the presence of the organism in an area from their DNA and map biodiversity without needing to directly sample or see the organisms themselves, from phytoplankton to fish.</p> <p>"Typically, if you have big, severe, acute disturbances like this, you'll expect to see reductions in diversity," Salerno said. "So, we're going to test that theory, as well as examine if those changes affect the food web."</p> <figure role="group"> <div> <div class="field field--name-image field--type-image field--label-hidden field__item"> <img loading="lazy" src="/sites/default/files/2026-09/260909041_0.jpg" width="1000" height="667" alt="Students on the beach of the Chesapeake Bay collect and analyze water"> </div> </div> <figcaption>Students and alumni sample the waters of Gunston Cove. Photo by Evan Cantwell/Office of University Branding</figcaption> </figure> <p>Funding for the project ends in May 2027, though PEREC's standard water and organismal sampling in Gunston Cove, funded by Fairfax County, will continue to keep building their extensive library of historic data.</p> <p>A second component of the NSF grant is tying this research into teaching and outreach鈥攁 good fit for PEREC, whose key pillars include educational outreach. Findings from this research will be incorporated into the <a href="/news/2026-01/outdoor-learning-burke-lake-shows-students-science-career-pathways">Meaningful Watershed Educational Experiences</a> (MWEEs) program with Fairfax County Public Schools, led by environmental science and policy professor Cindy Smith. The team has also recruited more than 10 graduate, undergraduate, and high school student researchers. They will be trained in sampling, laboratory analysis, data interpretation, and science communication, and paired with graduate student mentors for additional support.</p> <p>"The outcomes of this research could have a significant impact on how organizations prioritize and allocate funding in the future. In addition, the opportunity for students to gain hands-on field and/or laboratory experience through such a high-profile project would be an invaluable professional experience and meaningful addition to their resumes," said Fowler.</p> <figure role="group"> <div> <div class="field field--name-image field--type-image field--label-hidden field__item"> <img loading="lazy" src="/sites/default/files/2026-09/260909077.jpg" width="1000" height="667" alt="This is a photo of students collecting seaweed at the Chesapeake Bay during a summer program. The photo depicts an arm and hand holding seaweed. Another set of hands holds another bunch of seaweed.t"> </div> </div> <figcaption>Students and alumni sample the waters of Gunston Cove. Photo by Evan Cantwell/Office of University Branding</figcaption> </figure> <p>Contaminated drinking water reservoirs and disease spread as a result of a large sewage spill in a public water source are, of course, top concerns. But Fowler and Salerno both note the cultural value of the river as well, and the importance of keeping it clean.</p> <blockquote><p>"There's been a cultural shift over the past few decades that has increased regional interest in the waterfront," Salerno added. "More and more, people want to use these water systems for recreation, which means there's growing interest in the water being clean and in conserving the ecosystem."</p> </blockquote> <p>"The Potomac is known as the 'Nation's River' because it flows through the heart of the nation鈥檚 capital," said Fowler. "It鈥檚 history also played an important role in raising awareness about the nation鈥檚 water pollution crisis and the need for stronger protections."</p> <p>The co-PIs noted that none of this work would be possible without continued collaboration and cooperation amongst the PEREC researchers and faculty.</p> <p>"This grant is the culmination of years of expertise, effort, and collaboration," said Salerno. "We all specialize in different areas, with unique strengths and research backgrounds. But the river is what brings us together."&nbsp;</p> <figure role="group"> <div> <div class="field field--name-image field--type-image field--label-hidden field__item"> <img loading="lazy" src="/sites/default/files/2026-09/260909074.jpg" width="1000" height="667" alt="Students pull nets across the shallow water onto the small beach"> </div> </div> <figcaption>Students and alumni collect water samples in Gunston Cove for PEREC researchers. Photo by Evan Cantwell/Office of University Branding</figcaption> </figure> </div> </div> </div> <div data-block-plugin-id="field_block:node:news_release:field_content_topics" class="block block-layout-builder block-field-blocknodenews-releasefield-content-topics"> <h2>Topics</h2> <div class="field field--name-field-content-topics field--type-entity-reference field--label-visually_hidden"> <div class="field__label visually-hidden">Topics</div> <div class="field__items"> <div class="field__item"><a href="/taxonomy/term/271" hreflang="en">Research</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/taxonomy/term/946" hreflang="en">Potomac Environmental Research and Education Center</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/taxonomy/term/291" hreflang="en">College of Science</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/taxonomy/term/5021" hreflang="en">Atmospheric Oceanic and Earth Sciences</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/taxonomy/term/546" hreflang="en">Department of Environmental Science and Policy (ESP)</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/taxonomy/term/1161" hreflang="en">National Science Foundation</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/taxonomy/term/21606" hreflang="en">GCI-Health</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/taxonomy/term/911" hreflang="en">Sustainability</a></div> </div> </div> </div> </div> <div class="layout__region region-second"> <div data-block-plugin-id="inline_block:feature_image" data-inline-block-uuid="b1391b8c-d396-4d69-b20c-44437be8d124" class="block block-feature-image block-layout-builder block-inline-blockfeature-image caption-below"> <div class="feature-image"> <div class="narrow-overlaid-image"> <img src="/sites/default/files/styles/feature_image_medium/public/2026-09/carnegie_elective_classifications_sustain_whitebg.png?itok=IBkK0pMc" srcset="/sites/default/files/styles/feature_image_small/public/2026-09/carnegie_elective_classifications_sustain_whitebg.png?itok=3uMHiCv1 768w, /sites/default/files/styles/feature_image_medium/public/2026-09/carnegie_elective_classifications_sustain_whitebg.png?itok=IBkK0pMc 1024w, /sites/default/files/styles/feature_image_large/public/2026-09/carnegie_elective_classifications_sustain_whitebg.png?itok=YYYcUUe1 1280w" sizes="(min-width: 1024px) 80vw,100vw" alt> </div> <div class="headline-text"> <div class="feature-image-link"> <div class="field field--name-field-feature-image-link field--type-link field--label-hidden field__item"><a href="/news/2026-09/george-mason-university-earns-carnegie-elective-classification-sustainability">Learn more</a></div> </div> </div> </div> </div><div data-block-plugin-id="inline_block:text" data-inline-block-uuid="004b8bf7-8804-4224-bb86-845f8e4495f8" class="block block-layout-builder block-inline-blocktext"> <div class="field field--name-body field--type-text-with-summary field--label-hidden field__item"><hr> </div> </div> <div data-block-plugin-id="inline_block:text" data-inline-block-uuid="a58acffa-cd97-4335-8e83-28911d2b2015" class="block block-layout-builder block-inline-blocktext"> <div class="field field--name-body field--type-text-with-summary field--label-hidden field__item"><div class="align-center"> <div class="field field--name-image field--type-image field--label-hidden field__item"> <img loading="lazy" src="/sites/default/files/styles/medium/public/2026-02/GCI-extensionmark%281%29.png?itok=ZWYqIIqS" width="560" height="187" alt="Grand Challenge Initiative creative"> </div> </div> <p class="text-align-center">&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;<a href="/research/grandchallenge">Learn more about 911爆料's Grand Challenge Initiative</a></p> </div> </div> <div data-block-plugin-id="inline_block:text" data-inline-block-uuid="821251e8-7aa8-4113-8f78-24ce4bf77174" class="block block-layout-builder block-inline-blocktext"> <div class="field field--name-body field--type-text-with-summary field--label-hidden field__item"><hr> </div> </div> <div data-block-plugin-id="inline_block:call_to_action" data-inline-block-uuid="9b626fab-fb01-40dc-89de-ec685b56d859"> <div class="cta"> <a class="cta__link" href="https://perec.science.gmu.edu/"> <p class="cta__title">Discover the Potomac Environmental Research and Education Center <i class="fas fa-arrow-circle-right"></i> </p> <span class="cta__icon"></span> </a> </div> </div> <div data-block-plugin-id="inline_block:text" data-inline-block-uuid="4f781029-ba80-4ee9-b9c4-d12628c99faf" class="block block-layout-builder block-inline-blocktext"> </div> <div data-block-plugin-id="inline_block:news_list" data-inline-block-uuid="b3bcce38-bb6a-4113-af9c-4f31bc9724dd" class="block block-layout-builder block-inline-blocknews-list"> <h2>Related news</h2> <div class="views-element-container"><div class="view view-news view-id-news view-display-id-block_1 js-view-dom-id-b29c6fb88c40a8a5a75b9c9bba79ef609fd4d7e05d99f5e98df7c2ad95fab1e4"> <div class="view-content"> <div class="news-list-wrapper"> <ul 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views-field-field-publish-date"><div class="field-content">October 5, 2026</div></div></li> </ul> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> Thu, 24 Sep 2026 14:59:50 +0000 sholla4 346177 at 911爆料 earns Carnegie Elective Classification for Sustainability /news/2026-09/george-mason-university-earns-carnegie-elective-classification-sustainability <span>911爆料 earns Carnegie Elective Classification for Sustainability</span> <span><span>lclarkg</span></span> <span><time datetime="2026-09-22T10:27:20-04:00" title="Tuesday, September 22, 2026 - 10:27">Tue, 09/22/2026 - 10:27</time> </span> <div class="layout layout--gmu layout--twocol-section layout--twocol-section--70-30"> <div class="layout__region region-first"> <div data-block-plugin-id="field_block:node:news_release:body" class="block block-layout-builder block-field-blocknodenews-releasebody"> <div class="field field--name-body field--type-text-with-summary field--label-visually_hidden"> <div class="field__label visually-hidden">Body</div> <div class="field__item"><p><span class="intro-text" lang="EN">911爆料 has earned the </span><a href="https://carnegieclassifications.acenet.edu/elective-classifications/sustainability/"><span class="intro-text" lang="EN">Carnegie Elective Classification for Sustainability</span></a><span class="intro-text" lang="EN">, becoming one of the first 14 institutions to receive the new classification for integrating sustainability across the curriculum, research, operations, career preparation, and community engagement.</span></p> <hr><a href="https://carnegieclassifications.acenet.edu/elective-classifications/sustainability/" target="_blank"> <div class="align-right"> <div class="field field--name-image field--type-image field--label-hidden field__item"> <img loading="lazy" src="/sites/default/files/styles/small_content_image/public/2026-09/carnegie_elective_classifications_sustain_whitebg.png?itok=qFgEDfer" width="350" height="350" alt="Badge for Carnegie Foundation Elective Classification for Sustainability"> </div> </div> <p></p></a> <p><span>911爆料 is the only institution in Virginia and the only public R1 university on the East Coast to earn the classification. </span><a href="/news/2025-04/george-mason-highlighted-one-carnegies-opportunity-colleges-and-universities" title="911爆料 Carnegie Opportunity University designation"><span>911爆料 is also one of three Carnegie Opportunity Colleges</span></a><span> in the </span><a href="https://www.colorado.edu/today/2026/09/22/14-institutions-earn-carnegie-sustainability-classification-through-pilot-program" target="_blank"><span>inaugural group of 10 public and 4 four private universities, which represent 10 states and one U.S. territory</span></a><span>.</span></p> <p><span>鈥淭his certification is an acknowledgment of 911爆料鈥檚 leadership and thoughtful integration of sustainability across our academic, research, and operational enterprises,鈥� said Julie Zobel, senior vice president and chief operating officer. 鈥淥ur holistic approach supports the scholarship, research, and career pathways that prepare our students to tackle the global challenges that will shape tomorrow.</span><span lang="EN">鈥�&nbsp;</span></p> <p><span>911爆料 participated in the 2025 pilot program, which brought together diverse higher education institutions in a national community of practice to test and shape the classification framework, application, and review criteria.&nbsp;</span><a href="https://integrative.gmu.edu/people/twood"><span lang="EN-US">Tom Wood</span></a><span>,&nbsp;associate professor of integrative and interdisciplinary studies, led a small team of staff from&nbsp;</span><a href="https://green.gmu.edu/"><span lang="EN-US">University Sustainability</span></a><span lang="EN">&nbsp;</span><span>in completing a rigorous self-study process. The team also helped Carnegie develop critical assessment tools and served&nbsp;as team leaders in the&nbsp;review of other pilot institutions鈥� applications.</span><span lang="EN"></span></p> <figure role="group" class="align-right"> <div> <div class="field field--name-image field--type-image field--label-hidden field__item"> <img loading="lazy" src="/sites/default/files/styles/medium/public/2026-09/260909041.jpg?itok=4UTzT3BP" width="560" height="373" alt="Department of Environmental Science and Policy students and alumni collect on-the-water samples from Gunston Cove for the Potomac Environmental Research and Education Center."> </div> </div> <figcaption>Students and alumni collect on-the-water samples from Gunston Cove for the Potomac Environmental Research and Education Center. Photo by Evan Cantwell/Office of University Branding</figcaption> </figure> <p><span>The Carnegie Elective Classification for Sustainability is now hosted by the University of Colorado Boulder, working alongside the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching and the American Council on Education. The 911爆料 team continues to offer support to both entities in an advisory capacity and by reviewing new applications.</span></p> <p><span>鈥淪ustainability has long been an important interdisciplinary endeavor at 911爆料,鈥� said Janette Muir, vice provost for academic affairs. 鈥淭his recognition acknowledges the deep commitment of faculty and staff across the university as they contribute their expertise and diverse perspectives, creating opportunities for students to explore complex challenges and develop solutions. That breadth of engagement is one of the significant ways 911爆料 stands out as an institution.鈥�</span></p> <figure role="group" class="align-left"> <div> <div class="field field--name-image field--type-image field--label-hidden field__item"> <img loading="lazy" src="/sites/default/files/styles/medium/public/2026-09/260911019.jpg?itok=f3vnNrQA" width="560" height="373" alt="Volunteer works in the campus greenhouse"> </div> </div> <figcaption>Presidents Park Greenhouse on the Fairfax Campus. Photo by Evan Cantwell/Office of University Branding</figcaption> </figure> <p><span>The university hosts standout programs and research centers like the&nbsp;</span><a href="https://smconservation.gmu.edu/" target="_blank"><span lang="EN-US">Smithsonian-Mason School of Conservation</span></a><span lang="EN"> (SMSC)</span><span>,&nbsp;</span><a href="https://ise.gmu.edu/" target="_blank"><span lang="EN-US">Institute for a Sustainable Earth</span></a><span lang="EN"> (ISE)</span><span>,&nbsp;</span><a href="https://www.vaclimate.gmu.edu/" target="_blank"><span lang="EN-US">Virginia Climate Center</span></a><span>,&nbsp;</span><a href="https://climatecommunication.gmu.edu/" target="_blank"><span lang="EN-US">Center for Climate Change Communication</span></a><span>, and the&nbsp;</span><a href="https://perec.science.gmu.edu/" target="_blank"><span lang="EN-US">Potomac Environmental Research and Education Center</span></a><span>, among others.</span></p> <p><span>鈥淭hese centers and institutes drive research related to solving the&nbsp;</span><a href="/grandchallenge" target="_blank"><span lang="EN-US">grand challenge</span></a><span> of creating a sustainable future, serving communities locally, nationally, and worldwide,鈥� said Wood, who serves on the National Advisory Committee for the Carnegie Foundation Sustainability Classification.</span></p> <p><span>911爆料 continues to improve operational performance through built environment exemplars like&nbsp;</span><a href="https://masonsquare.gmu.edu/fuse" target="_blank"><span lang="EN-US">Fuse at Mason Square</span></a><span>, the university鈥檚 first LEED Platinum-certified building. The university also sees its campuses as&nbsp;</span><a href="https://ise.gmu.edu/malila/" target="_blank"><span lang="EN-US">Living Labs</span></a><span>, encouraging students to test sustainability solutions directly on site.</span><span lang="EN"></span></p> <p><span>Student research projects have resulted in key sustainable campus improvements including&nbsp;</span><a href="/news/2025-04/campus-greenhouse-powered-sun-and-student-innovation"><span lang="EN-US">solar installations</span></a><span>, enhancements to the&nbsp;</span><a href="https://green.gmu.edu/campus-sustainability/campus-gardens/" target="_blank"><span lang="EN-US">Greenhouse and Gardens</span></a><span>, green roofs, stormwater restoration projects, and native plant forests and pollinator habitats. Many of these improvements were made possible by grant programs like the&nbsp;</span><a href="https://green.gmu.edu/patriot-green-fund/" target="_blank"><span lang="EN-US">Patriot Green Fund</span></a><span> and ISE鈥檚 Living Labs grants.&nbsp;</span></p> <figure role="group" class="align-right"> <div> <div class="field field--name-image field--type-image field--label-hidden field__item"> <img loading="lazy" src="/sites/default/files/styles/medium/public/2026-09/260714035.jpg?itok=hUX4SMRH" width="560" height="373" alt="Students claim household items at the Patriot Packout free store"> </div> </div> <figcaption>The Patriot Packout's free store redistributes items that might otherwise end up in a landfill after students move out from their residence halls. Photo by Evan Cantwell/Office of University Branding</figcaption> </figure> <p><span>911爆料 prepares its students to apply sustainable concepts through 17 sustainability-related degree programs, as well as more than 100 sustainability-focused or sustainability-inclusive courses, known as&nbsp;</span><a href="https://catalog.gmu.edu/student-services/green-leaf-programs-courses/" target="_blank"><span lang="EN-US">Green Leaf</span></a><span> courses within the&nbsp;</span><a href="https://catalog.gmu.edu/mason-core/" target="_blank"><span lang="EN-US">Mason Core</span></a><span> curriculum. More academic opportunities are available through sustainability-focused study abroad programs, Residential Learning Communities, and semester-away courses at SMSC.</span></p> <p><span>鈥淪tudents who want to learn more about sustainability and pursue careers in related fields have many options and pathways to do so at 911爆料, including at </span><a href="https://masonkorea.gmu.edu/" target="_blank"><span>Mason Korea</span></a><span>,鈥� said Muir.&nbsp;</span></p> <p><span>With support from campus stakeholders, student engagement drives the creation and continuation of sustainability initiatives on campus. Student volunteers support University Sustainability鈥檚 Greenhouse and Gardens and&nbsp;</span><a href="https://green.gmu.edu/patriot-pack-out-ppo/" target="_blank"><span lang="EN-US">Patriot Packout</span></a><span> programs and further influence sustainability on campus through capstone projects, internships, and fellowships.</span></p> <p><span>Sustainability-focused student organizations like&nbsp;</span><a href="/news/2025-02/student-organization-recovers-more-1600-pounds-food-dining-halls-campus-events" target="_blank"><span lang="EN-US">911爆料鈥檚 chapter of the Food Recovery Network</span></a><span lang="EN">&nbsp;</span><span>collaborate with Mason Dining staff to sort, package, and deliver food to local community and campus partners like the Patriot Pantry.</span></p> <blockquote><p><span>鈥淥ne of the most inspiring aspects of sustainability at 911爆料 is our campus community鈥檚 willingness to work collaboratively to improve outcomes,鈥� said Amber Saxton, sustainability program manager in University Sustainability. 鈥淧artnerships and working groups like the one we formed to achieve this classification continue to be the key to developing campus-wide systems to address critical needs, institutionalizing change, funding innovative projects, and making sustainability an essential part of campus life.鈥�</span></p> </blockquote> <figure role="group" class="align-left"> <div> <div class="field field--name-image field--type-image field--label-hidden field__item"> <img loading="lazy" src="/sites/default/files/styles/medium/public/2026-09/250722001.jpg?itok=C3IMRL2H" width="560" height="373" alt="Solar panels at the campus greenhouse."> </div> </div> <figcaption>Solar panels at the campus greenhouse. Photo by Evan Cantwell/Office of University Branding</figcaption> </figure> <p><span>This year, one such collaborative working group applied for and </span><a href="/news/2026-05/grant-virginia-department-environmental-quality-will-reduce-food-waste-and-expand"><span>received a grant of more than $1 million from the Virginia Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ)</span></a><span> to support improved </span><a href="https://green.gmu.edu/campus-sustainability/food-rescue-composting/" target="_blank"><span lang="EN">food waste prevention, food rescue, and composting programs on campus</span></a><span>.</span></p> <p><span>Through such efforts, 911爆料 has earned&nbsp;</span><a href="/news/2024-06/george-mason-earns-solid-gold-sustainability"><span lang="EN-US">four consecutive Gold ratings</span></a><span> in the STARS (Sustainability Tracking, Assessment and Rating System) Assessment. STARS is a self-reporting framework for colleges and universities to measure their comprehensive sustainability performance and is offered by the Association for the Advancement of Sustainability in Higher Education (AASHE).&nbsp;</span></p> <p><span lang="EN">As a pilot institution for the Carnegie Classification for Sustainability, 911爆料 is once again leading the way. </span><span lang="EN"></span></p> <p><span lang="EN">鈥淭he first group of inaugural institutions help bring this new classification to life,鈥� said Timothy F.C. Knowles, president of the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching. 鈥淲e鈥檙e proud to recognize their leadership and the many ways they are advancing sustainability across their campuses and communities.鈥�</span></p> <p><span>911爆料 will retain the Carnegie Elective Classification for Sustainability for six years, through 2033.</span><span lang="EN"></span></p> </div> </div> </div> </div> <div class="layout__region region-second"> <div data-block-plugin-id="inline_block:text" data-inline-block-uuid="e02e4506-5aa1-4b34-bc37-1d96952b0bf9" class="block block-layout-builder block-inline-blocktext"> <div class="field field--name-body field--type-text-with-summary field--label-hidden field__item"><p class="text-align-center" style="color:#ffffff;"><a href="/grandchallenge/climate" target="_blank">Explore our work in climate resiliency through the Grand Challenge Initiative</a></p> <div> <div class="field field--name-image field--type-image field--label-hidden field__item"> <img loading="lazy" src="/sites/default/files/2025-08/GCI-extensionmark_0.png" width="1201" height="401" alt="Grand Challenge Initiative"> </div> </div> </div> </div> <div data-block-plugin-id="inline_block:call_to_action" data-inline-block-uuid="c776ba2b-26c8-4572-8204-c9097d3c4c06"> <div class="cta"> <a class="cta__link" href="/about/initiatives-and-priorities/sustainability-george-mason"> <p class="cta__title">Sustainability at 911爆料 <i class="fas fa-arrow-circle-right"></i> </p> <span class="cta__icon"></span> </a> </div> </div> <div data-block-plugin-id="inline_block:text" data-inline-block-uuid="c012103a-95be-49bc-9504-a5c4f5c188d5" class="block block-layout-builder block-inline-blocktext"> </div> <div data-block-plugin-id="inline_block:news_list" data-inline-block-uuid="c83aedcb-680a-4df0-bc25-2df8bd665d27" class="block block-layout-builder block-inline-blocknews-list"> <h2>Read More Like This</h2> <div class="views-element-container"><div class="view view-news view-id-news view-display-id-block_1 js-view-dom-id-fdd7f2685d5d5145d3f9793312e55d94f35c630b0b736db111246d0c48f05dff"> <div class="view-content"> <div class="news-list-wrapper"> <ul class="news-list"> <li class="news-item"><div class="views-field views-field-title"><span class="field-content"><a href="/news/2026-10/george-mason-researchers-bolster-flood-resilience-virginia-towns" hreflang="en">911爆料 researchers bolster flood resilience of Virginia towns&nbsp;</a></span></div><div class="views-field views-field-field-publish-date"><div class="field-content">October 12, 2026</div></div></li> <li class="news-item"><div class="views-field views-field-title"><span class="field-content"><a href="/news/2026-10/unlocking-value-silicon-rich-waste-help-biology" hreflang="en">Unlocking value from silicon-rich waste with help from biology&nbsp;</a></span></div><div class="views-field views-field-field-publish-date"><div class="field-content">October 5, 2026</div></div></li> <li class="news-item"><div class="views-field views-field-title"><span class="field-content"><a href="/news/2026-09/after-historic-sewage-spill-george-mason-researchers-monitor-long-term-impacts-support" hreflang="en">After historic sewage spill, 911爆料 researchers monitor for long-term impacts with support from NSF grant</a></span></div><div class="views-field views-field-field-publish-date"><div class="field-content">September 24, 2026</div></div></li> <li class="news-item"><div class="views-field views-field-title"><span class="field-content"><a href="/news/2026-09/george-mason-university-earns-carnegie-elective-classification-sustainability" hreflang="en">911爆料 earns Carnegie Elective Classification for Sustainability</a></span></div><div class="views-field views-field-field-publish-date"><div class="field-content">September 22, 2026</div></div></li> <li class="news-item"><div class="views-field views-field-title"><span class="field-content"><a href="/news/2026-09/shaping-quantum-future-virginia" hreflang="en">Shaping the quantum future in Virginia</a></span></div><div class="views-field views-field-field-publish-date"><div class="field-content">September 22, 2026</div></div></li> </ul> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> <div data-block-plugin-id="field_block:node:news_release:field_content_topics" class="block block-layout-builder block-field-blocknodenews-releasefield-content-topics"> <h2>Topics</h2> <div class="field field--name-field-content-topics field--type-entity-reference field--label-visually_hidden"> <div class="field__label visually-hidden">Topics</div> <div class="field__items"> <div class="field__item"><a href="/taxonomy/term/911" hreflang="en">Sustainability</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/taxonomy/term/561" hreflang="en">Institute for a Sustainable Earth (ISE)</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/taxonomy/term/18271" hreflang="en">Virginia Climate Center</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/taxonomy/term/806" hreflang="en">Smithsonian-Mason School of Conservation</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/taxonomy/term/19091" hreflang="en">University Sustainability</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/taxonomy/term/946" hreflang="en">Potomac Environmental Research and Education Center</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/taxonomy/term/396" hreflang="en">Center for Climate Change Communication</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/taxonomy/term/116" hreflang="en">Campus News</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/taxonomy/term/21886" hreflang="en">Carnegie Foundation</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/taxonomy/term/20826" hreflang="en">GCI-Grand Challenge Initiative</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/taxonomy/term/271" hreflang="en">Research</a></div> </div> </div> </div> <div data-block-plugin-id="inline_block:text" data-inline-block-uuid="bb586237-d999-47d0-a690-578a76ac0eeb" class="block block-layout-builder block-inline-blocktext"> </div> <div data-block-plugin-id="field_block:node:news_release:field_associated_people" class="block block-layout-builder block-field-blocknodenews-releasefield-associated-people"> <h2>In This Story</h2> <div class="field field--name-field-associated-people field--type-entity-reference field--label-visually_hidden"> <div class="field__label visually-hidden">People Mentioned in This Story</div> <div class="field__items"> <div class="field__item"><a href="/profiles/jmuir" hreflang="en">Janette Muir, PhD</a></div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> <div class="layout layout--gmu layout--twocol-section layout--twocol-section--30-70"> <div> </div> <div> </div> </div> Tue, 22 Sep 2026 14:27:20 +0000 lclarkg 346166 at In a muddy turtle rescue at the Potomac Science Center, slow and steady wins the race /news/2025-03/muddy-turtle-rescue-potomac-science-center-slow-and-steady-wins-race <span>In a muddy turtle rescue at the Potomac Science Center, slow and steady wins the race</span> <span><span>lclarkg</span></span> <span><time datetime="2025-03-26T10:38:49-04:00" title="Wednesday, March 26, 2025 - 10:38">Wed, 03/26/2025 - 10:38</time> </span> <div class="layout layout--gmu layout--twocol-section layout--twocol-section--70-30"> <div class="layout__region region-first"> <div data-block-plugin-id="field_block:node:news_release:body" class="block block-layout-builder block-field-blocknodenews-releasebody"> <div class="field field--name-body field--type-text-with-summary field--label-visually_hidden"> <div class="field__label visually-hidden">Body</div> <div class="field__item"><p class="MsoNormal"><span class="intro-text">911爆料鈥檚&nbsp;</span><a href="https://potomacsciencecenter.gmu.edu/"><span class="intro-text">Potomac Science Center</span></a><span class="intro-text"> on Belmont Bay is a destination for environmental science research within the Chesapeake Bay watershed. Wildlife abounds on the waterfront habitat.&nbsp;</span></p> <figure role="group" class="align-right"> <div> <div class="field field--name-image field--type-image field--label-hidden field__item"> <img loading="lazy" src="/sites/default/files/styles/medium/public/2025-03/img_9753.jpg?itok=SjnKLd_h" width="560" height="420" alt="Student Rylee Ledoux holds two rescued turtles in her hands, with the Potomac Science Center in the background"> </div> </div> <figcaption>Undergraduate student Rylee Ledoux helped rescue turtles from the pond at the Potomac Science Center. Photo by Cindy Smith/College of Science</figcaption> </figure> <p class="MsoNormal">Slightly inland from shore, on a recent day in early March, the retention pond next to the center needed to be emptied to make changes to the drainage system. As the water was slowly pumped out, the pond became mucky, muddy, and messy during the process.</p> <p class="MsoNormal">Though draining a pond can be important for maintenance, the process may inadvertently harm the wildlife that make their homes in these human-made water features. The Mason Nation was ready to rescue some of the creatures affected.&nbsp;</p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span>Tanya Finch, who works with the nonprofit&nbsp;</span><a href="https://aeroanimalrescue.org/about/rehabilitators/"><span>Animal Education and Rescue Organization</span></a><span> (AERO), led the turtle rescue with help from nearly 20 911爆料 student, faculty, and staff volunteers. AERO helps rescue and rehabilitate native Virginia wildlife, and the volunteers caught and re-homed turtles and fish into the Occoquan River.&nbsp;</span></p> <figure role="group" class="align-left"> <div> <div class="field field--name-image field--type-image field--label-hidden field__item"> <img loading="lazy" src="/sites/default/files/styles/medium/public/2025-03/img_9746_thumb_0.jpg?itok=lx1-Yzak" width="560" height="560" alt="Close up of a turtle rescued from the pond. It almost appears to be smiling"> </div> </div> <figcaption>Photo by Cindy Smith/College of Science</figcaption> </figure> <p class="MsoNormal"><span>Finch and 911爆料 volunteers conducted a similar turtle rescue early last fall, when another pond near the Potomac Science Center was drained for maintenance. Many&nbsp;turtle species need to be near water for survival, and they sometimes need help getting there.&nbsp;</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span>During the recent turtle rescue event, volunteers spent the day collecting nearly 60 turtles from the pond. The species rescued included painted turtles, musk,&nbsp;red-eared sliders, cooters, and a large snapping turtle.</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span>The rescue efforts continued as more turtles emerged.&nbsp;</span></p> <p><span>The next day, graduate student Rachel Kelmartin saw a contractor in the pond area, struggling to remove more turtles from the mud. Kelmartin is studying environmental science and policy and works in the Fisheries Ecology Lab鈥攕o she is accustomed to going into the water and getting to work. Kelmartin put on waders, helped net another 25 turtles, and released them into the Occoquan River.</span></p> <figure role="group" class="align-right"> <div> <div class="field field--name-image field--type-image field--label-hidden field__item"> <img loading="lazy" src="/sites/default/files/styles/medium/public/2025-03/img_9669.jpg?itok=7XJU7Wcy" width="560" height="420" alt="Two volunteers wade into the knee-deep mud with nets to rescue turtles"> </div> </div> <figcaption>鈥淚 once counted over 250 turtles on the banks of the drainage pond in a single day,鈥� Kelmartin said. 鈥淭his little pond has the capacity to support a lot of life.鈥�&nbsp;Photo by Cindy Smith/College of Science</figcaption> </figure> <blockquote><p class="MsoNormal"><span>鈥淚 once counted over 250 turtles on the banks of the drainage pond in a single day,鈥� Kelmartin said. 鈥淭his little pond has the capacity to support a lot of life.鈥�&nbsp;</span></p> </blockquote> <p class="MsoNormal"><span>During winter, turtles burrow into the mud for brumation, which is&nbsp;similar to hibernation in mammals, Kelmartin said. After the pond was drained and the sun warmed the mud, the turtles started to emerge.</span></p> <figure role="group" class="align-left"> <div> <div class="field field--name-image field--type-image field--label-hidden field__item"> <img loading="lazy" src="/sites/default/files/styles/medium/public/2025-03/img_9699_0.jpg?itok=NWCIIrdn" width="560" height="420" alt="Volunteers form a chain to pass the turtles up from the bottom of the pond. A volunteer holds a turtle and smiles"> </div> </div> <figcaption>Volunteers rescued at least 85 turtles after the pond was drained, rehoming them in the Occoquan River. Photo by Cindy Smith/College of Science</figcaption> </figure> <p class="MsoNormal"><span>Walking trails meander around the Potomac Science Center and are frequently used by local residents. 鈥淢any of the turtles are habituated to humans, and during warmer months, they watch walkers ambling along the trail,鈥� said Cindy Smith, professor of environmental science and policy. 鈥淏elmont Bay residents were pleased to see that so many turtles were rescued and relocated.鈥�</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span>Rylee Ledoux, an undergraduate student majoring in environmental science, also joined the rescue effort. She said the hands-on experience made her reflect on the ways that habitat disruption affects wildlife.</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span>鈥淓xperiences like this not only reinforce what I鈥檝e learned in my studies, but also highlight the importance of staying engaged and advocating for thoughtful environmental practices,鈥� Ledoux said.</span></p> </div> </div> </div> </div> <div class="layout__region region-second"> <div data-block-plugin-id="inline_block:call_to_action" data-inline-block-uuid="e287ceab-04ab-47a0-8abb-4123046e1e1d"> <div class="cta"> <a class="cta__link" href="https://potomacsciencecenter.gmu.edu/"> <p class="cta__title">Learn more about the Potomac Science Center <i class="fas fa-arrow-circle-right"></i> </p> <span class="cta__icon"></span> </a> </div> </div> <div data-block-plugin-id="inline_block:text" data-inline-block-uuid="eecb92b0-21cb-48fe-9626-34f6a2d02f59" class="block block-layout-builder block-inline-blocktext"> <div class="field field--name-body field--type-text-with-summary field--label-hidden field__item"><hr> <p>&nbsp;</p> </div> </div> <div data-block-plugin-id="inline_block:news_list" data-inline-block-uuid="a4077734-636f-48da-abd6-acc0651d58e9" class="block block-layout-builder block-inline-blocknews-list"> <h2>Read More Like This</h2> <div class="views-element-container"><div class="view view-news view-id-news view-display-id-block_1 js-view-dom-id-123b030bc01158d66bc040b4527ac6ebf6dafb7bd095c5ec9aee8360c8a1d4e8"> <div class="view-content"> <div class="news-list-wrapper"> <ul class="news-list"> <li class="news-item"><div class="views-field views-field-title"><span class="field-content"><a href="/news/2026-10/george-mason-students-explore-public-service-during-government-careers-week" hreflang="en">911爆料 students explore public service during Government Careers Week</a></span></div><div class="views-field views-field-field-publish-date"><div class="field-content">October 22, 2026</div></div></li> <li class="news-item"><div class="views-field views-field-title"><span class="field-content"><a href="/news/2026-10/end-hunger-games-tributes-fought-food-insecurity-george-masons-campuses" hreflang="en">In the 鈥楨nd Hunger Games,鈥� the tributes fought food insecurity on 911爆料鈥檚 campuses</a></span></div><div class="views-field views-field-field-publish-date"><div class="field-content">October 22, 2026</div></div></li> <li class="news-item"><div class="views-field views-field-title"><span class="field-content"><a href="/news/2026-10/one-one-rector-sumeet-shrivastava" hreflang="en">One on One with Rector Sumeet Shrivastava鈥� </a></span></div><div class="views-field views-field-field-publish-date"><div class="field-content">October 22, 2026</div></div></li> <li class="news-item"><div class="views-field views-field-title"><span class="field-content"><a href="/news/2026-10/george-mason-breaks-ground-basketball-and-academic-performance-center" hreflang="en">911爆料 breaks ground on Basketball and Academic Performance Center </a></span></div><div class="views-field views-field-field-publish-date"><div class="field-content">October 21, 2026</div></div></li> <li class="news-item"><div class="views-field views-field-title"><span class="field-content"><a href="/news/2026-10/2026-celebration-distinction-honors-alumni-leaders-across-university" hreflang="en">2026 Celebration of Distinction honors alumni leaders from across the university </a></span></div><div class="views-field views-field-field-publish-date"><div class="field-content">October 16, 2026</div></div></li> </ul> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> <div data-block-plugin-id="inline_block:text" data-inline-block-uuid="4f360efa-2dc3-4c49-be8d-6fd215867187" class="block block-layout-builder block-inline-blocktext"> <div class="field field--name-body field--type-text-with-summary field--label-hidden field__item"><hr> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><em>A version of this content appears in the Fall 2025 print edition of the </em><a href="/spirit-magazine" target="_blank" title="Mason Spirit Magazine"><strong>Mason Spirit Magazine</strong></a> <em>with the title "Turtle Power."</em></p> </div> </div> <div data-block-plugin-id="inline_block:call_to_action" data-inline-block-uuid="94cedeeb-1d62-4fd8-8f7e-f2af56df08e4"> <div class="cta"> <a class="cta__link" href="/spirit-magazine"> <p class="cta__title">More from Mason Spirit Magazine <i class="fas fa-arrow-circle-right"></i> </p> <span class="cta__icon"></span> </a> </div> </div> </div> </div> <div class="layout layout--gmu layout--twocol-section layout--twocol-section--30-70"> <div class="layout__region region-first"> </div> <div> </div> </div> Wed, 26 Mar 2025 14:38:49 +0000 lclarkg 116431 at Empowering girls in STEAM at the Potomac Science Center /news/2024-03/empowering-girls-steam-potomac-science-center <span>Empowering girls in STEAM at the Potomac Science Center</span> <span><span>lclarkg</span></span> <span><time datetime="2024-03-06T12:31:16-05:00" title="Wednesday, March 6, 2024 - 12:31">Wed, 03/06/2024 - 12:31</time> </span> <div class="layout layout--gmu layout--twocol-section layout--twocol-section--70-30"> <div class="layout__region region-first"> <div data-block-plugin-id="field_block:node:news_release:body" class="block block-layout-builder block-field-blocknodenews-releasebody"> <div class="field field--name-body field--type-text-with-summary field--label-visually_hidden"> <div class="field__label visually-hidden">Body</div> <div class="field__item"><p><span class="intro-text">911爆料鈥檚 <a href="https://potomacsciencecenter.gmu.edu/">Potomac Science Center</a> hosted the Girls in STEAM Empowerment Conference on Thursday, February 29. This annual event welcomed 60 middle school students for a day of science, technology, engineering, art, and mathematics (STEAM). The event promotes STEAM careers for young women through engaging discussions and hands-on activities.</span></p> <hr> <figure role="group"> <div> <div class="field field--name-image field--type-image field--label-hidden field__item"> <img loading="lazy" src="/sites/default/files/styles/extra_large_content_image/public/2024-03/431024814.jpg?itok=FyeCSMS1" width="1480" height="1110" alt="A staff member of Schneider Electric, one of the event sponsors, wears pink sunglasses that say &quot;Girls Rule&quot;"> </div> </div> <figcaption>The Girls in STEAM Empowerment Conference was cosponsored by Mason, Schneider Electric, Prince William County Public Schools, The NEED Project, Dominion Energy, Iron Mountain Data Centers, Beyer Blinder Belle Architects and Planners, and ACI Solutions. Pictured: Abigail Weigel, Schneider Electric. Photo by PEREC</figcaption> </figure> <p><span><span><span><span><span><span>Students learned about energy science and engineered energy efficient structures. All the student attendees came from five Title I schools in Prince William County.</span></span></span></span></span></span></p> <p><span><span><span><span><span><span>The National Energy Education Development Project (The NEED Project) led two energy workshops. Participants built and tested the efficiency of a mocked-up 鈥渢hermally insulated house鈥� and generated and measured electricity conducted through various objects. </span></span></span></span></span></span></p> <figure role="group"> <div> <div class="field field--name-image field--type-image field--label-hidden field__item"> <img loading="lazy" src="/sites/default/files/styles/extra_large_content_image/public/2024-03/girls_in_steam.jpg?itok=tY8781Z9" width="1480" height="1110" alt="Middle school students engage in hands-on STEAM activities at the waterfront Potomac Science Center"> </div> </div> <figcaption>Middle school students engaged in hands-on STEAM activities along the waterfront of the Potomac Science Center. Photo by PEREC</figcaption> </figure> <p><span><span><span><span><span><span>A panel of women in STEAM shared stories about how they came into their careers and responded to student questions. The panel included Cindy Smith, professor of environmental science and policy and director K-12 partnerships for the </span></span><span><a href="https://perec.science.gmu.edu/"><span>Potomac Environmental Research and Education Center</span></a></span><span><span> (PEREC). </span></span></span></span></span></span></p> <figure role="group"> <div> <div class="field field--name-image field--type-image field--label-hidden field__item"> <img loading="lazy" src="/sites/default/files/styles/extra_large_content_image/public/2024-03/431004046.jpg?itok=7n3DmrVa" width="1480" height="1110" alt="Event organizers in front of the decorative sign that says GIRLS IN STEAM"> </div> </div> <figcaption>Mason Professor Cindy Smith (second from left) with Prince William County Schools staff Melinda Landry, Jeanne Jabara BS Biology 鈥�80, MS Environmental Biology 鈥�83, and Jess Doiron. Photo by PEREC</figcaption> </figure> <p><span><span><span><span><span><span>The Girls in STEAM Empowerment Conference is cosponsored by Mason, Schneider Electric, Prince William County Public Schools, The NEED Project, Dominion Energy, Iron Mountain Data Centers, Beyer Blinder Belle Architects and Planners, and ACI Solutions.</span></span></span></span></span></span></p> <figure role="group"> <div> <div class="field field--name-image field--type-image field--label-hidden field__item"> <img loading="lazy" src="/sites/default/files/styles/extra_large_content_image/public/2024-03/430103955.jpg?itok=4LEN5uK9" width="1480" height="1110" alt="Room set up for the Girls in STEAM conference overlooking the waterfront"> </div> </div> <figcaption>Conference space at the Potomac Science Center. Photo by PEREC</figcaption> </figure> </div> </div> </div> </div> <div class="layout__region region-second"> <div data-block-plugin-id="inline_block:call_to_action" data-inline-block-uuid="70ad79b1-6979-43ca-8d12-f07e3e7a77e3"> <div class="cta"> <a class="cta__link" href="https://potomacsciencecenter.gmu.edu/"> <p class="cta__title">Visit the Potomac Science Center <i class="fas fa-arrow-circle-right"></i> </p> <span class="cta__icon"> <div class="field field--name-field-cta-icon field--type-entity-reference field--label-visually_hidden"> <div class="field__label visually-hidden">Icon</div> <div class="field__item"><div> <div class="field field--name-field-media-font-awesome-icon field--type-fontawesome-icon field--label-visually_hidden"> <div class="field__label visually-hidden">Icon</div> <div class="field__item"><div class="fontawesome-icons"> <div class="fontawesome-icon"> <i class="fas fa-map-marked-alt" data-fa-transform data-fa-mask style="--fa-primary-color: #000000; --fa-secondary-color: #000000;"></i> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </span> </a> </div> </div> <div data-block-plugin-id="inline_block:call_to_action" data-inline-block-uuid="4fc45d08-9b8c-471a-a7aa-3fe4552ba4f0"> <div class="cta"> <a class="cta__link" href="/womens-history-month"> <p class="cta__title">More about Women's History Month <i class="fas fa-arrow-circle-right"></i> </p> <span class="cta__icon"></span> </a> </div> </div> <div data-block-plugin-id="inline_block:feature_image" data-inline-block-uuid="bf28eefd-e684-4a15-9fa2-71bd81127d68" class="block block-feature-image block-layout-builder block-inline-blockfeature-image caption-below"> <div class="feature-image"> <div class="narrow-overlaid-image"> <img src="/sites/default/files/styles/feature_image_medium/public/2023-07/1.png?itok=XxbJlFdB" srcset="/sites/default/files/styles/feature_image_small/public/2023-07/1.png?itok=Evso0d1P 768w, /sites/default/files/styles/feature_image_medium/public/2023-07/1.png?itok=XxbJlFdB 1024w, /sites/default/files/styles/feature_image_large/public/2023-07/1.png?itok=vSElU-7i 1280w" sizes="(min-width: 1024px) 80vw,100vw" alt="&quot; &quot;"> </div> </div> </div> <div data-block-plugin-id="inline_block:news_list" data-inline-block-uuid="3d720fe0-329e-40d0-92de-deb22e2a9ad7" class="block block-layout-builder block-inline-blocknews-list"> <h2>Read more about the Potomac Science Center</h2> <div class="views-element-container"><div class="view view-news view-id-news view-display-id-block_1 js-view-dom-id-f7180bfd8825aba2cf7b6a899c4e1f8c557194ce384bece08cdf47315134c3a9"> <div class="view-content"> <div class="news-list-wrapper"> <ul class="news-list"> <li class="news-item"><div class="views-field views-field-title"><span class="field-content"><a href="/news/2026-09/after-historic-sewage-spill-george-mason-researchers-monitor-long-term-impacts-support" hreflang="en">After historic sewage spill, 911爆料 researchers monitor for long-term impacts with support from NSF grant</a></span></div><div class="views-field views-field-field-publish-date"><div class="field-content">September 24, 2026</div></div></li> <li class="news-item"><div class="views-field views-field-title"><span class="field-content"><a href="/news/2026-09/george-mason-university-earns-carnegie-elective-classification-sustainability" hreflang="en">911爆料 earns Carnegie Elective Classification for Sustainability</a></span></div><div class="views-field views-field-field-publish-date"><div class="field-content">September 22, 2026</div></div></li> <li class="news-item"><div class="views-field views-field-title"><span class="field-content"><a href="/news/2025-09/bringing-safe-water-table" hreflang="en">Bringing safe water to the table</a></span></div><div class="views-field views-field-field-publish-date"><div class="field-content">September 30, 2025</div></div></li> <li class="news-item"><div class="views-field views-field-title"><span class="field-content"><a href="/news/2025-03/muddy-turtle-rescue-potomac-science-center-slow-and-steady-wins-race" hreflang="en">In a muddy turtle rescue at the Potomac Science Center, slow and steady wins the race</a></span></div><div class="views-field views-field-field-publish-date"><div class="field-content">April 4, 2025</div></div></li> <li class="news-item"><div class="views-field views-field-title"><span class="field-content"><a href="/news/2024-03/empowering-girls-steam-potomac-science-center" hreflang="en">Empowering girls in STEAM at the Potomac Science Center</a></span></div><div class="views-field views-field-field-publish-date"><div class="field-content">March 8, 2024</div></div></li> </ul> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> <div class="layout layout--gmu layout--twocol-section layout--twocol-section--30-70"> <div> </div> <div class="layout__region region-second"> <div data-block-plugin-id="field_block:node:news_release:field_content_topics" class="block block-layout-builder block-field-blocknodenews-releasefield-content-topics"> <h2>Topics</h2> <div class="field field--name-field-content-topics field--type-entity-reference field--label-visually_hidden"> <div class="field__label visually-hidden">Topics</div> <div class="field__items"> <div class="field__item"><a href="/taxonomy/term/17321" hreflang="en">STEAM</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/taxonomy/term/15386" hreflang="en">Women's History Month</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/taxonomy/term/546" hreflang="en">Department of Environmental Science and Policy (ESP)</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/taxonomy/term/4841" hreflang="en">Prince William County</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/taxonomy/term/16891" hreflang="en">K-12 Partnerships</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/taxonomy/term/946" hreflang="en">Potomac Environmental Research and Education Center</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/taxonomy/term/16026" hreflang="en">Picture This</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/taxonomy/term/116" hreflang="en">Campus News</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/taxonomy/term/9251" hreflang="en">Potomac Science Center</a></div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> Wed, 06 Mar 2024 17:31:16 +0000 lclarkg 110991 at Science and engineering meet to create new surface water robot /news/2023-10/science-and-engineering-meet-create-new-surface-water-robot <span>Science and engineering meet to create new surface water robot</span> <span><span>sholla4</span></span> <span><time datetime="2023-10-17T09:35:06-04:00" title="Tuesday, October 17, 2023 - 09:35">Tue, 10/17/2023 - 09:35</time> </span> <div class="layout layout--gmu layout--twocol-section layout--twocol-section--70-30"> <div class="layout__region region-first"> <div data-block-plugin-id="field_block:node:news_release:body" class="block block-layout-builder block-field-blocknodenews-releasebody"> <div class="field field--name-body field--type-text-with-summary field--label-visually_hidden"> <div class="field__label visually-hidden">Body</div> <div class="field__item"><p><span class="intro-text">In his research on freshwater systems in the DC/Virginia area, 911爆料 </span><a href="https://science.gmu.edu/"><span class="intro-text">College of Science</span></a><span class="intro-text"> professor R. Christian Jones was spending much of his time hauling boats. Too much, he thought.</span></p> <figure role="group" class="align-right"> <div> <div class="field field--name-image field--type-image field--label-hidden field__item"> <img loading="lazy" src="/sites/default/files/styles/medium/public/2023-10/potomac%20in%20copy%202.jpg?itok=hG4197OT" width="373" height="560" alt="Professor Leigh McCue and student Zesen Li stand waist-deep in a pond beneath a bright blue sky. Their yellow surface water vehicle floats in front of them. "> </div> </div> <figcaption>McCue and Li with the autonomous surface water vehicle. Photo by Evan Cantwell/911爆料.</figcaption> </figure> <p><span>鈥淚n order to take a sample from a pond,鈥� he said, 鈥淚 would need to haul a boat in, put the equipment in, launch it, and then bring it all back. It would add at least an hour and required the body of water to have an access point for a boat.鈥�</span></p> <p><span>As the director of Mason鈥檚 </span><a href="https://perec.science.gmu.edu/"><span>Potomac Environmental Research and Education Center (PEREC)</span></a><span>, Jones knew of a colleague who also works at the </span><a href="https://potomacsciencecenter.gmu.edu/"><span>Potomac Science Center (PSC)</span></a><span> where PEREC is housed, and who could help with this conundrum. He approached </span><a href="https://cec.gmu.edu/"><span>College of Engineering and Computing</span></a><span> </span><a><span>professor</span></a><span> Leigh McCue and undergraduate student Ze Li with an idea: a machine that could go out on the pond, skim for plankton samples and collect water samples, and return to shore鈥攁ll while the researcher remains on land.</span></p> <p><span>This project is part of a larger grant from the </span><a href="https://www.nsf.gov/awardsearch/showAward?AWD_ID=2135619&amp;HistoricalAwards=false"><span>National Science Foundation for Persistent and Accessible Maritime Monitoring (PAMM)</span></a><span>, of which McCue is the lead investigator. The multiyear grant鈥攁warded in 2022 for more than $500,000鈥攆ocuses on increasing educational, research, and robotics operations and development for students ranging from sixth grade to graduate level, in order to improve the applications of and expanded the use of unmanned marine vehicles. It also includes making such vehicles more accessible for individuals with motion limitations, which in turn can increase accessibility for all researchers.</span></p> <p><span>鈥淩esearchers around the globe are utilizing robotics to conduct maritime research, which is an increasingly critical field of study,鈥� explained McCue. 鈥淭hrough this grant, we鈥檙e developing more affordable maritime research tools to improve access for great science, whether citizen science or research-grade science. This project fit nicely into that mission.鈥�</span></p> <p><span>The autonomous surface vessel used a</span><a href="https://www.drewbuildsstuff.ca/plans/rc-trashboat"><span> publicly available 3D printable remote control trash collecting boat</span></a><span> as a starting point, which Li then built upon to allow for water sampling and mid-pond plankton sampling. </span>"We thought it was more beneficial to create something new by developing our design around an&nbsp;open-source hull model,"&nbsp; Li said. 鈥淭here鈥檚 more opportunity for us to iterate on the prototype.鈥�</p> <p><span>The team hopes to continue to improve the machine鈥檚 design, now that it鈥檚 being field-tested by Jones: improved autonomous capabilities and controls are both on the short list of potential improvements. Li also sees a potential for expanded testing of such data points as water temperature, turbidity, and salinity.</span></p> <p><span>Jones predicts that this machine will be a boon for both access and efficiency. 鈥淭he number of accessible ponds will increase dramatically with this, and we鈥檒l be able to sample up to eight in a day instead of just one or two,鈥� Jones said.</span></p> <p><span>The machine will also allow for more immediate responses to sudden, unpredictable, and time-sensitive events, like taking samples immediately after storms. Jones even sees possible uses for this machine to take samples during major pollution events, keeping the researchers safe from exposure to harmful chemicals while still acquiring necessary data.</span></p> <p><span>Jones emphasized that this project was made possible by the collaboration between the two colleges. 鈥淎t a place like PSC where we鈥檙e all working together, seeing each other's labs and hearing about research, this sort of collaboration comes naturally,鈥� he said. 鈥淚t鈥檚 a beautiful opportunity for us all to become better researchers and do better science.鈥�</span></p> <figure role="group"> <div> <div class="field field--name-image field--type-image field--label-hidden field__item"> <img loading="lazy" src="/sites/default/files/2023-10/potomac%20in%20copy.jpg" width="600" height="400" alt="Jones, McCue, and Li pose in the pond with the surface water vehicle. "> </div> </div> <figcaption>Jones, McCue, and Li outside PSC. Photo by Evan Cantwell/911爆料.</figcaption> </figure> </div> </div> </div> </div> <div class="layout__region region-second"> <div data-block-plugin-id="field_block:node:news_release:field_associated_people" class="block block-layout-builder block-field-blocknodenews-releasefield-associated-people"> <h2>In This Story</h2> <div class="field field--name-field-associated-people field--type-entity-reference field--label-visually_hidden"> <div class="field__label visually-hidden">People Mentioned in This Story</div> <div class="field__items"> <div class="field__item"><a href="/profiles/lmccuewe" hreflang="und">Leigh McCue-Weil</a></div> </div> </div> </div> <div data-block-plugin-id="inline_block:text" data-inline-block-uuid="6d8f32a0-8561-4e0d-9eb0-6813d2cbad01" class="block block-layout-builder block-inline-blocktext"> </div> <div data-block-plugin-id="inline_block:call_to_action" data-inline-block-uuid="a94eb32d-5ab3-4378-9c82-899196caaba4"> <div class="cta"> <a class="cta__link" href="https://perec.science.gmu.edu/"> <p class="cta__title">Learn more about PEREC and its research <i class="fas fa-arrow-circle-right"></i> </p> <span class="cta__icon"></span> </a> </div> </div> <div data-block-plugin-id="inline_block:call_to_action" data-inline-block-uuid="48165640-420e-479f-b424-e5ade58b09ef"> <div class="cta"> <a class="cta__link" href="https://www.mix.gmu.edu/"> <p class="cta__title">Design your own creations at the MIX <i class="fas fa-arrow-circle-right"></i> </p> <span class="cta__icon"></span> </a> </div> </div> <div data-block-plugin-id="inline_block:text" data-inline-block-uuid="70c82219-b04e-473c-8ca8-62b9ad4b0dfa" class="block block-layout-builder block-inline-blocktext"> </div> <div data-block-plugin-id="inline_block:news_list" data-inline-block-uuid="28f244fd-bbff-4edc-979a-33a744b3f2ae" class="block block-layout-builder block-inline-blocknews-list"> <h2>Related News</h2> <div class="views-element-container"><div class="view view-news view-id-news 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class="news-item"><div class="views-field views-field-title"><span class="field-content"><a href="/news/2026-06/george-mason-university-panel-examines-complex-legacy-its-namesake-during-americas" hreflang="en">911爆料 panel examines the complex legacy of its namesake during America鈥檚 250th Anniversary</a></span></div><div class="views-field views-field-field-publish-date"><div class="field-content">July 1, 2026</div></div></li> <li class="news-item"><div class="views-field views-field-title"><span class="field-content"><a href="/news/2026-06/creating-joyful-new-and-therapeutic-connections-through-dance" hreflang="en">Creating joyful new鈥攁nd therapeutic鈥攃onnections through dance </a></span></div><div class="views-field views-field-field-publish-date"><div class="field-content">June 25, 2026</div></div></li> <li class="news-item"><div class="views-field views-field-title"><span class="field-content"><a href="/news/2026-06/vanessa-blair-lewiss-contract-extended-through-2031-32" hreflang="en">Vanessa Blair-Lewis鈥檚 contract extended through 2031-32</a></span></div><div class="views-field views-field-field-publish-date"><div class="field-content">June 15, 2026</div></div></li> </ul> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> <div data-block-plugin-id="inline_block:text" data-inline-block-uuid="ec44a564-5d22-48d9-a779-61395957e207" class="block block-layout-builder block-inline-blocktext"> <div class="field field--name-body field--type-text-with-summary field--label-hidden field__item"><hr> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><em>This content appears in the Spring 2024 print edition of the </em><strong><a href="/spirit-magazine" target="_blank" title="Mason Spirit Magazine">Mason Spirit Magazine</a></strong> <em>with the title "Meet the new Mason-built surface water robot."</em></p> </div> </div> <div data-block-plugin-id="inline_block:call_to_action" data-inline-block-uuid="53d30cc5-d35b-4226-8a6e-e680c1a394b8"> <div class="cta"> <a class="cta__link" href="/spirit-magazine"> <p class="cta__title">More from Mason Spirit Magazine <i class="fas fa-arrow-circle-right"></i> </p> <span class="cta__icon"></span> </a> </div> </div> </div> </div> <div class="layout layout--gmu layout--twocol-section layout--twocol-section--30-70"> <div> </div> <div> </div> </div> Tue, 17 Oct 2023 13:35:06 +0000 sholla4 109196 at Removing invasive plants protects the ecosystem at the Potomac Science Center and beyond /news/2023-06/removing-invasive-plants-protects-ecosystem-potomac-science-center-and-beyond <span>Removing invasive plants protects the ecosystem at the Potomac Science Center and beyond</span> <span><span>lclarkg</span></span> <span><time datetime="2023-06-29T10:12:18-04:00" title="Thursday, June 29, 2023 - 10:12">Thu, 06/29/2023 - 10:12</time> </span> <div class="layout layout--gmu layout--twocol-section layout--twocol-section--30-70"> <div class="layout__region region-first"> <div data-block-plugin-id="inline_block:text" data-inline-block-uuid="7925b963-cb4d-4999-a00c-2abee6065737" class="block block-layout-builder block-inline-blocktext"> <h2>In This Story</h2> <div class="field field--name-body field--type-text-with-summary field--label-hidden field__item"><p><a href="https://science.gmu.edu/directory/cynthia-smith">Cynthia Smith</a></p> <p><a href="https://science.gmu.edu/directory/r-christian-jones">R. Christian Jones</a></p> <p><a href="https://science.gmu.edu/directory/t-reid-nelson">T. Reid Nelson</a></p> </div> </div> </div> <div class="layout__region region-second"> <div data-block-plugin-id="field_block:node:news_release:body" class="block block-layout-builder block-field-blocknodenews-releasebody"> <div class="field field--name-body field--type-text-with-summary field--label-visually_hidden"> <div class="field__label visually-hidden">Body</div> <div class="field__item"><p><span><span><span>When you hear the word 鈥渕imosa,鈥� what first comes to mind? If you think about a bubbly beverage enjoyed at brunch, you鈥檙e not wrong鈥攂ut if you think of a flowering tree that is considered invasive to the Northern Virginia ecosystem? You鈥檙e also not wrong.</span></span></span></p> <figure role="group" class="align-right"> <div> <div class="field field--name-image field--type-image field--label-hidden field__item"> <img loading="lazy" src="/sites/default/files/styles/medium/public/2023-06/Chris%20Jones%20invasive%20species%20removal%20perec.jpg?itok=TA-suo05" width="448" height="560" alt="Faculty member Chris Jones works in the brush at the Potomac Science Center, holding a flowering branch of an invasive mimosa tree that he trimmed away"> </div> </div> <figcaption>Chris Jones, professor in the Department of Environmental Science and Policy and director of PEREC, trims down the branches of an invasive mimosa tree. <em>Photo by Cindy Smith/PEREC</em></figcaption> </figure> <p><span><span><span>911爆料鈥檚 <a href="https://perec.science.gmu.edu/">Potomac Environmental Research and Education Center</a> (PEREC) recently hosted an invasive species removal event where students, faculty, staff, and community members came together to remove harmful, invasive plants around the <a href="https://potomacsciencecenter.gmu.edu/">Potomac Science Center</a> in Woodbridge, Virginia. &nbsp;</span></span></span></p> <p><span><span><span>The mimosa trees were one of the main species removed. The delicate, sweet-smelling blossoms make the mimosa an attractive ornamental tree鈥攖he main reason these plants were transported to North America. Originally native to central China, Japan, and South Korea, the mimosa is a vigorous grower and produces a high number of seeds, making it an ecological threat to native species.</span></span></span></p> <p><span><span><span>鈥淚nvasive plants are non-native or introduced to an ecosystem and can cause environmental or economic harm,鈥� said <a href="https://science.gmu.edu/directory/cynthia-smith">Cindy Smith</a>, PhD Environmental Science and Public Policy 鈥�05, associate professor in the <a href="https://science.gmu.edu/academics/departments-units/environmental-science-policy">Department of Environmental Science and Policy</a> and K-12 education and outreach director for PEREC. 鈥淭hey can grow faster than native species, often shading out natives, spread quickly, and may not be a great food source for native birds and insects.鈥�</span></span></span></p> <p><span><span><span>The term 鈥渋nvasive鈥� does not only apply to plants, trees, and shrubs. 鈥淲e also have invasive insects, worms, pigs, mollusks, crustaceans, and fish in Virginia,鈥� said Smith.</span></span></span></p> <figure role="group"> <div> <div class="field field--name-image field--type-image field--label-hidden field__item"> <img loading="lazy" src="/sites/default/files/styles/medium/public/2023-06/reid%20nelson%20invasive%20species%20snakehead%20perec.jpg?itok=_hJ8vLYh" width="560" height="560" alt="Reid Nelson holds a snakehead, an invasive species of fish, on the dock at the Potomac Science Center"> </div> </div> <figcaption>Reid Nelson, assistant professor in the Department of Environmental Science and Policy and fisheries ecologist with PEREC, holds a snakehead he caught off the Potomac Science Center dock. Invasive in the United States, this voracious fish can easily out-compete native and established predators. <em>Photo by&nbsp;Elizabeth Greenheck</em></figcaption> </figure> <p><span><span><span>A variety of conditions allow invasive species to thrive. </span></span></span></p> <p><span><span><span>鈥淲hen the Potomac Science Center first opened in 2018, we noticed a couple of beavers munching the trees around the retention pond perimeter,鈥� said Smith. 鈥淭he beavers mowed down many of the native oak, sycamore, and maple trees, creating a sunny opening for fast-growing invasives to take off and thrive.鈥�</span></span></span></p> <figure role="group" class="align-right"> <div> <div class="field field--name-image field--type-image field--label-hidden field__item"> <img loading="lazy" src="/sites/default/files/styles/small_content_image/public/2023-06/perec%20invasive%20species%20removal_thumb.jpg?itok=4rnAAonI" width="350" height="350" alt="A student in a Mason T-shirt removes invasive plants from the brush around the Potomac Science Center"> </div> </div> <figcaption><em>Photo by Adrian Hagarty/PEREC</em></figcaption> </figure> <p><span><span><span>Callery pear trees and Japanese honeysuckle, along with the mimosas, were crowding and taking over the pond perimeter. Japanese honeysuckle vine overtakes shrubs and can choke trees. Callery pear trees spread profusely in areas that do not benefit from their presence鈥攁long shorelines, in open fields, farmland, and roadside ditches. </span></span></span></p> <p><span><span><span>Removing invasive species allows native plants to thrive, including those that are part of the <a href="https://science.gmu.edu/academics/departments-units/biology/facilities-centers/arboretum">Mason Arboretum</a>. Native vegetation also supports native birds and insects. PEREC is cataloging the native plants around the Potomac Science Center so that visitors who walk along the trail can learn about what is growing at the site.</span></span></span></p> <p>&nbsp;</p> </div> </div> </div> <div data-block-plugin-id="field_block:node:news_release:field_content_topics" class="block block-layout-builder block-field-blocknodenews-releasefield-content-topics"> <h2>Topics</h2> <div class="field field--name-field-content-topics field--type-entity-reference field--label-visually_hidden"> <div class="field__label visually-hidden">Topics</div> <div class="field__items"> <div class="field__item"><a href="/taxonomy/term/9251" hreflang="en">Potomac Science Center</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/taxonomy/term/946" hreflang="en">Potomac Environmental Research and Education Center</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/taxonomy/term/291" hreflang="en">College of Science</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/taxonomy/term/546" hreflang="en">Department of Environmental Science and Policy (ESP)</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/taxonomy/term/116" hreflang="en">Campus News</a></div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> Thu, 29 Jun 2023 14:12:18 +0000 lclarkg 106111 at Community approach to reducing single-use plastic beverage bottles wins EPA award /news/2022-08/community-approach-reducing-single-use-plastic-beverage-bottles-wins-epa-award <span>Community approach to reducing single-use plastic beverage bottles wins EPA award</span> <span><span>ckearney</span></span> <span><time datetime="2022-08-09T13:34:53-04:00" title="Tuesday, August 9, 2022 - 13:34">Tue, 08/09/2022 - 13:34</time> </span> <div class="layout layout--gmu layout--twocol-section layout--twocol-section--70-30"> <div class="layout__region region-first"> <div data-block-plugin-id="field_block:node:news_release:body" class="block block-layout-builder block-field-blocknodenews-releasebody"> <div class="field field--name-body field--type-text-with-summary field--label-visually_hidden"> <div class="field__label visually-hidden">Body</div> <div class="field__item"><p><span class="intro-text">In February 2021, a survey of two high schools in Woodbridge, Virginia, showed that a surprising number of students used three or more plastic beverage bottles a day, mostly bottles of water. </span></p> <p>This information shocked Freedom High School seniors Stephanie Ruiz Molina and Ashley Munoz-Trujillo. They realized that their school could be disposing of almost 10,000 bottles a week, and they wanted to do something to help reduce that number.</p> <figure role="group"> <div> <div class="field field--name-image field--type-image field--label-hidden field__item"> <img loading="lazy" src="/sites/default/files/2022-08/Image-2.jpeg" width="1000" height="750" alt="group of people standing by river in the rain"> </div> </div> <figcaption>Mason graduate students Sammie Alexander and Rachel Kelmartin share fish and plankton collection techniques with high school teachers and students.&nbsp;<br><br> Photo provided</figcaption> </figure> <p><span><span><span>Their work as a part of the collaborative community project,&nbsp;A Community Approach to Reducing Single-Use Plastic Beverage Bottles, earned them the prestigious </span><a href="https://www.epa.gov/education/presidents-environmental-youth-award"><span>President鈥檚 Environmental Youth Award</span></a><span> from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. </span></span></span></p> <p><span><span><span>This two-year pilot project was funded by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration鈥檚 Marine Debris Program and led by 911爆料 researchers </span><a href="https://science.gmu.edu/directory/cynthia-smith"><span>Cindy Smith</span></a><span>, </span><a href="https://science.gmu.edu/directory/scott-glaberman"><span>Scott Glaberman</span></a><span>, </span><a href="https://science.gmu.edu/directory/t-reid-nelson"><span>T. Reid Nelson</span></a><span> and </span><a href="https://demutsertlab.wordpress.com/dr-kim-de-mutsert/"><span>Kim de Mutsert</span></a><span>, all members of the </span><a href="https://perec.science.gmu.edu/"><span>Potomac Environmental Research and Education Center</span></a><span> (PEREC) at Mason鈥檚 Potomac Science Center in Woodbridge.</span></span></span></p> <figure class="quote"><span><span><span>鈥淲hat blew us away was the data the students collected,鈥� said Smith, who served as the project鈥檚 principal investigator. 鈥淚f students in each of the 13 Prince William County high schools toss out 10,000 single use bottles a week, that鈥檚 almost 4.7 million single-use bottles disposed of during the school year, just for these high schools.鈥� </span></span></span></figure> <p><span><span><span>Smith said the project鈥檚 goal was to raise awareness of and connect participants to the ecological impacts of debris, expand participation in clean-up efforts, and change disposable water bottle use behavior at two high schools. </span></span></span></p> <p><span><span><span>鈥淚n addition to changing behavior, we hoped that students would see the connection of how disposable bottles, which may fall out of cars in school parking lots and blow out of trash cans at athletic fields, frequently end up in storm drains and then wash into our local streams and waterways where they may impact aquatic organisms,鈥� she said.</span></span></span></p> <figure role="group" class="align-left"> <div> <div class="field field--name-image field--type-image field--label-hidden field__item"> <img loading="lazy" src="/sites/default/files/2022-08/Image-3.jpeg" width="350" height="467" alt="two people standing in hip waders in the rain"> </div> </div> <figcaption>Photo provided</figcaption> </figure> <p><span><span><span>The project targeted 20 teachers and 35 high school student delegates, whose efforts could impact the behavior of thousands of students at Freedom High School (2,159 students), located near Neabsco Creek, one of the county鈥檚 most trash-laden waterbodies, and Patriot High School (2,678 students), in the Broad Run watershed.</span></span></span></p> <p><span><span><span>Community partners working with the students and Mason included Keep Prince William Beautiful, Prince William County Public Works Watershed Division, Prince William Soil and Water Conservation District, Northern Virginia Regional Commission, and both high schools.&nbsp;</span></span></span></p> <p><span><span><span>Mason Environmental Science and Policy students also had the opportunity to get involved, including those in de Mutsert鈥檚 and Smith鈥檚 labs and Glaberman鈥檚 Environmental Toxicology class.</span></span></span></p> <p><span><span><span>Ruiz Molina and Munoz-Trujillo were a part of the delegate crew at Freedom High that successfully petitioned the school to install water bottle stations for students, collected more than 300 student action pledges, partnered with local organizations to provide one donated reusable bottle to each student who pledged, and created a social media campaign to reach their peers.</span></span></span></p> <p><span><span><span>Videos of the teacher and student trainings are available&nbsp;</span><a href="https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL5tNnDPjd5LvQvRSrFo3jfUU28aGScWHu"><span>here</span></a><span>.</span></span></span></p> <div alt="Video on Prince William Community Marine Debris Project, hosted on Youtube"> <div class="field field--name-field-media-video-embed-field field--type-video-embed-field field--label-hidden field__item"><div class="video-embed-field-provider-youtube video-embed-field-responsive-video"><iframe width="854" height="480" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen" referrerpolicy="strict-origin-when-cross-origin" loading="lazy" title="YouTube | Prince William Community Marine Debris Project Part 1: GMU PEREC" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/1hmdmtWnfqM?autoplay=0&amp;start=0&amp;rel=0&amp;mute=0"></iframe> </div> </div> </div> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> </div> </div> </div> </div> <div class="layout__region region-second"> <div data-block-plugin-id="inline_block:call_to_action" data-inline-block-uuid="e5daebb8-f7a7-42b4-9e42-26a3ac320d68"> <div class="cta"> <a class="cta__link" href="https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL5tNnDPjd5LvQvRSrFo3jfUU28aGScWHu"> <p class="cta__title">Watch the project video series <i class="fas fa-arrow-circle-right"></i> </p> <span class="cta__icon"></span> </a> </div> </div> <div data-block-plugin-id="inline_block:text" data-inline-block-uuid="49c50a11-0958-43b6-aa79-02cfb5a074e0" class="block block-layout-builder block-inline-blocktext"> <div class="field field--name-body field--type-text-with-summary field--label-hidden field__item"><p>&nbsp;</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> </div> </div> <div data-block-plugin-id="inline_block:news_list" data-inline-block-uuid="4fa2ccb2-0181-4371-9d17-5d0359c9f56c" class="block block-layout-builder block-inline-blocknews-list"> <h2>Related 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href="/news/2024-03/empowering-girls-steam-potomac-science-center" hreflang="en">Empowering girls in STEAM at the Potomac Science Center</a></span></div><div class="views-field views-field-field-publish-date"><div class="field-content">March 8, 2024</div></div></li> </ul> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> <div data-block-plugin-id="field_block:node:news_release:field_content_topics" class="block block-layout-builder block-field-blocknodenews-releasefield-content-topics"> <h2>Topics</h2> <div class="field field--name-field-content-topics field--type-entity-reference field--label-visually_hidden"> <div class="field__label visually-hidden">Topics</div> <div class="field__items"> <div class="field__item"><a href="/taxonomy/term/291" hreflang="en">College of Science</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/taxonomy/term/946" hreflang="en">Potomac Environmental Research and Education Center</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/taxonomy/term/9251" hreflang="en">Potomac Science Center</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/taxonomy/term/546" hreflang="en">Department of Environmental Science and Policy (ESP)</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/taxonomy/term/271" hreflang="en">Research</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/taxonomy/term/17476" hreflang="en">Spirit Magazine</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/taxonomy/term/17481" hreflang="en">Spirit Spring 2023</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/taxonomy/term/17521" hreflang="en">Inquiring Minds</a></div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> <div class="layout layout--gmu layout--twocol-section layout--twocol-section--30-70"> <div> </div> <div> </div> </div> Tue, 09 Aug 2022 17:34:53 +0000 ckearney 75721 at