The environmental science class, taught by Dr. Joseph Matanoski, will participate in a regional science conference known as the Maryland Water Monitoring Council. The event is sponsored by the Maryland Natural Resources and will be held in Linthicum, Maryland, on Dec. 2.

Students will present posters to judges explaining their own individual projects. There will be prizes for the top posters.

Students will also attend a networking event during the conference.

“The event is great for anyone to attend because people from all over will be discussing current research or concerns such as, the Chesapeake Bay,” said Matanoski. This is the first year that the class will attend the networking event, during which, the students will be able to speak to and meet with scientists and companies for 90 minutes. “This event will help students make connections for future capstone and internships,” Matanoski explained.

Laura Brezinski, an environmental science student, is creating a project that will be exhibited during the event for the first time. Brezinski’s project examines the urbanization runoffs and flood activity in the Gwynns Falls. She chose this topic because she is interested in the pollution in the Gwynns Falls. She also explains how other students in her class are doing poster projects on topics such as cray fish, soil sampling and plants.

“Gywnns Falls is a great resource. We are so fortunate to have right in our back yard,” she said. Brezinski is using tools that she believes will help her students gain hands-on experience.

Matanoski believes that this event and the student projects provide a great opportunity for the students to learn techniques in the science field. “Learn science by doing science,” said Matanoski, hoping that the students will learn by asking and answering questions.

He plans on conducting this event again next year with his fall semester class.