Published: October 06, 2009 10:44 pm      

Fort Hill student attends ARC Summer Institute

OAK RIDGE, Tenn. — Six high school students from Maryland to Mississippi attended the 2009 Appalachian Regional Commission Summer Institute and among the group was Fort Hill High School senior Alison Jordan.

The students had the opportunity to learn more about watersheds, riparian zones, and water quality in creeks during their participation in the summer program.

According to Jordan, “It was probably the best experience I’ve ever had. Not only did I make a lot of great friends, but I was able to work alongside actual scientists.” She went on to say “My group worked well together with our mentors. I respect everyone I met while I was there.”

Staff from the Environmental Protection and Waste Services Division as well as the Biological and Environmental Sciences Directorate, Facilities and Operations, and Creative Media worked with this group of students as they learned how to define the White Oak Creek watershed and placed markers near its boundaries crossing Bethel Valley Road.

The ARC collaborates with the U.S. Department of Energy’s Oak Ridge National Laboratory and the Oak Ridge Institute for Science and Education in Oak Ridge to provide a two-week hands-on learning experience for students. “I’m so happy that I was able to be involved with the ’09 ARC Summer Institute, and I wouldn’t have changed it for anything in the world,” said Jordan.