• Settling the Solar System
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• Psychology of Law
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• The History of Life on Earth
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• Brave New World: Understanding Your Genetic Future
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• 2D Animation and Website Design with Macromedia Flash
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• Computer Game Programming
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• Better Living Through (Environmental) Chemistry
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• Body Quest: An Exploration in Anatomy and Physiology
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• Compu-tekhne - The Computer as Tool
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• The Dark Sky - Serious Questions for Real Astronomers
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• The Science of Strength
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• To Boldly Go Where No One Has Gone Before: Doing Experimental Mathematics
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• Water, Water, Everywhere, Nor Any Drop to Drink

Water, Water, Everywhere, Nor Any Drop to Drink

Here is what two students wrote about last summer's class.

The Summer 2008 Governor's School at Lynchburg College offered "Water, Water, Everywhere" as an in-depth analysis of Virginia hydrology. Commencing the course, students gained basic knowledge about Earth's limited water supply and learned to appreciate and value the available resources, therefore truly learning the importance and relevance of this course.

The class engaged in several field trips, mastering the various methods of measuring discharge, velocity, slope, bankfull indicators, and flood prone areas. During one field-based experiment, the students learned to use GPS receivers to map a trail to Apple Orchard Falls. On another field trip, an employee of the Lynchburg Water Treatment Facility gave the students a tour, teaching them how water is cleaned and purified before entering the public water system. The class also studied and observed the different effects of stream flow on both the Pedlar River and Big Otter Creek.

After collecting data from each river or stream, the students returned to the campus to make sense of their measurements. The class learned to create rating curves, observed the effect of discharge on velocity, studied sediment erosion and deposition, created hypotheses about the natural tendencies of rivers, and used GIS software to create maps that reflected river statistics throughout Virginia. For the principal project, each student was asked to select a geopolitical issue to present to the class. In the final days of class, students were able to link the information they accumulated in the class with events that occurred every day throughout the world.

Students found "Water, Water, Everywhere" to be an engaging, interesting, and particularly relevant course. Though the course involved dedication and persistence, field trips provided a leisurely break from classroom and laboratory work. By taking this class, scholars were able to enhance their knowledge of geomorphology and hydrology, while enjoying themselves in a comfortable, educational environment.