Connected Classrooms: Civil and Environmental Engineering
Leena Shevade, visiting assistant professor of civil and environmental engineering studies, and Arthur Kney, professor of civil engineering, and students in Introduction to Environmental Engineering and Science, joined Robin Kelchner’s and Lorenzo Molina’s fourth-grade classes at Paxinosa Elementary as part of Landis Center for Community Engagement’s Connected Classrooms initiative.
Concepts covered:
- Water quality
- How runoff causes water pollution through erosion and chemical transportation
- Different ways to mitigate this issue through engineering practices
- Basic background needed to understand alkalinity and conductivity
- Connecting water quality indicators to various pollutants
Feedback from Lafayette students:
“We learned that not every kid learns the same way. Some kids learned through the poster we created, and some were able to learn by pouring the water we used during our experiment. They were able to learn by having fun, and that goes back to the methods that you use to teach.” –Anne Mckenney ’24
“It’s easier to learn when you’re excited, and that’s something I’ll always have from this experience. Kids also learn by answering questions in their own heads, and I learned that as a student myself, I should always be asking questions.”—Kai Fore ’23
Feedback from Prof. Shevade:
“A few of the elementary students did not understand English well (they speak Spanish). Two of our students explained and gave instructions in Spanish to those students. The teachers were very thankful.”