University of Wyoming/Jackson State University Summer Field Course Wrap-Up

Two weeks ago, students from the University of Wyoming traveled to Jackson State University in Jackson, Mississippi to participate in the UW/JSU Summer Field Course, where they studied ecology, hydrology and geophysics. Throughout the course, students got to work with instructors from the University of Wyoming and Jackson State University, both in the lab and in the field.

Students collect field data

“My favorite part of the course was having a hands-on experience,” says Dominique Williams, a senior at JSU, and a course participant. “It’s quite different, getting your hands on something instead of just reading about it in books.”

Students in the course learned how to collect data using geophysics tools, including seismic and resistivity equipment, to create an image of what’s underground. This hands-on experience makes this course unique and challenging, and gives students an in-depth look at how research is done.

“We made several trips to Eagle Lake, in Vicksburg Mississippi, to run a series of tests with different equipment, which was awesome!” says Dominique. “When we came in from the field we went straight into the labs and ran data analysis on the data that we had collected throughout the day.”

Dominique is studying Civil Engineering and plans to continue her education after she completes her undergraduate degree.

“After graduation I plan on going to graduate school to get my masters,” she says. “My long-term goal would be to find a great civil engineering company and to grow in my field of study.”

 Last year, participants from JSU traveled to Laramie, WY for the Summer Field Course. The vast difference in climate and landscape makes this course a unique learning experience for all participants.

“This year’s course at JSU continued an important collaboration in ecology, hydrology and geophysics between UW and JSU,” says Dr. Steve Holbrook, a professor in the Department of Geology and Geophysics at the University of Wyoming. Dr. Holbrook traveled to JSU as an instructor for the course.

“Much of our work focused on determining the structure and ecological function around an important levee in the lower Mississippi River valley, called Buck Chute. For that work, we established a new collaboration with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers in Vicksburg, MS. Using geophysics, we were able to image a sandy aquifer that runs beneath the levee – which sources dangerous ‘sand boils’ that can undermine the levee during flood stages of the river.”

Dr. Steve Holbrook prepares students

Overall, students and professors enjoyed this year’s field course.  

“I would definitely recommend this course to any and everyone!” says Dominique. “This course offers so much that I wish it was longer!”

"All aspects of the course were successful," Dr. Holbrook says. "I think the students learned a lot and, once again, friendships were forged between UW and JSU students."

By Robin Rasmussen
Photos by Liz Nysson

University of Wyoming and Jackson State University Students Study Ecohydrogeophysics in Mississippi

Rain could not stop University of Wyoming and Jackson State University students from going into the field Wednesday. Although Mississippi isn’t known for cold temperatures in May, wet weather came in mid-week to chill and soak students working in an area called Buck Chute, north of Vicksburg and near the Yazoo River in Mississippi.  Despite the elements, the field work continued, and smiling faces still peeked through shrouded raincoat hoods as students used geophysics tools to better understand what lies beneath their feet in a lush green wetlands enclosed by an important levee system.

“I was very impressed by all our students,” said Dr. Ezat Heydari with a grin. Dr. Heydari is a professor in the Department of Physics, Atmospheric Sciences, and Geoscience at Jackson State University, and an important partner to the Wyoming Center for Environmental Hydrology and Geophysics (WyCEHG) for the Ecohydrogeophysics Field Course and educational exchange between UW and JSU.

Professor Steve Holbrook instructs students placing
geophysics equipment in an area called
Buck Chute in Mississippi

The day before the rain, students learned how to use the seismic and resistivity equipment in a large yard on the Jackson State Campus in bright 80 degree weather. This equipment allows scientists to “see” what is underground and help answer important questions about the properties of the earth. Although the two days were different by way of conditions, students felt the exercise was very interesting and didn’t mind getting a little wet in the field.

“I really liked using the seismic equipment and then seeing the data in the computer lab later,” said Naomi, a senior at Jackson State.

This is the second year for the Ecohydrogeophysics Field Course. Last year, students from JSU came to Wyoming, and this year UW students left on May 10^th for Mississippi. The two week course is made up of Ecology, Hydrology, and Geophysics sessions and field experience.

By Elizabeth Nysson

Photo by Elizabeth Nysson

New Field Course Begins for Wyoming and Mississippi Students

When it comes to the natural environment, Wyoming and Mississippi do not have a lot in common. The arid plains and mountains of Wyoming contrast drastically with the humid plains of central Mississippi. The differences, however, offer ample opportunity for an expansion of knowledge. Tomorrow, students from both states will join together to begin a two week field research course focused on hydrology, ecology and geophysics.

This field course is the beginning of a collaboration between Jackson State University (JSU) and the University of Wyoming (UW) through the Wyoming Center for Environmental Hydrology and Geophysics (WyCEHG). The goal is to offer students from both institutions a chance for exposure to new environments while increasing knowledge of field techniques and equipment use. Dr. Scott Miller, one of the principal investigators for WyCEHG and a lead for the camp, believes that such a collaboration offers important new opportunities for everyone involved.
“The collaboration is compelling for several reasons,” says Dr. Miller. “For one, the geologic and hydrologic settings of the southeastern United States and the Rocky Mountains provide an excellent contrast for field studies and environmental interpretation. Second, students from both institutions will gain familiarity and exposure to very different physical and cultural geographies. Third, faculty and students at JSU and Wyoming have shared research interests, and this field course will provide a mechanism for academic exchange. Students will be trained on various critical techniques, including field observation and use of hydrogeophysical equipment that will prepare them for both the job market and academic research.”
Faculty from UW that will be teaching parts of the course include Dr. Miller, from ecosystem science and management; Dr. Steve Holbrook,from geology and geophysics; from Dr. Dave Williams, from ecosystem science and management and the director of the Stable Isotope Facility; Dr. Brent Ewers, from the botany department; and Dr. Brad Carr, manager of the Facility for Imaging the Near and Sub-surface Environment.  Together, the team will create a dynamic, interdisciplinary research experience.
More information about the field course and the JSU-UW collaboration can be found at: http://www.uwyo.edu/uw/news/2013/05/jackson-state-university-contingent-to-study-hydrology-at-uw-this-summer.html

 By Kali S. McCrackin