U12A-03 Integrating Next-Generation Environmental Monitoring and Education Activities for Developing Citizen Science and Improving Global Environmental Literacy (Invited)

Mineral resources are critical for low-carbon energy transition. However, there is a significant concern about the environmental and health impacts of mining, stemming from past experiences. In particular, mining often happens in rural and low-income regions and/or tribal lands, lacking sufficient monitoring infrastructure, and STEM education resources. At the same time, misconception and fake news are rampant – even when the actual impacts are none or negligible – and harmful for communities both psychologically and economically.

This talk will present the integration of next generation environmental monitoring technologies and broader education strategies for empowering communities to protect their environment and health, as well as for improving general environmental literacies globally beyond host regions.

Our technologies are based on groundwater contamination associated with past mining/waste-management practices. As a part of the ALTEMIS project, we have developed a real-time groundwater monitoring approach by taking advantages of low-cost in situ sensors. In addition, we have developed an open-source python package PyLenM, which includes AI/ML algorithms to extract information from historical datasets and to improve subsequent monitoring, including anomaly/outlier detections, spatiotemporal interpolation, and monitoring optimization.

We have then integrated these technologies into the K-12 STEM education as a part of the Teaching Through Technology program. We also aim to enhance the fundamental knowledge about water quality (e.g., background elements such as minerals, nutrients). Developed hands-on in-class activities include water matching games, in which students identify different kinds of water, using sensors and colorimetry strips. Field trips ensure the connection between these technologies and their local environment.

In parallel, we have developed teaching resources for college-level science/engineering students to learn past environmental contamination and justice issues, and local/tribal perspectives. In addition, they learn environmental science and monitoring technologies as well as data-driven communication to effectively address concerns, to prevent/mitigate future contamination events and to explore sustainable resource development.