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AWG E-MAIL NEWS 2007-4
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CONTENTS
1)   AWGF CALL FOR PROPOSALS                 
2)   AWG MEMBERSHIP DIRECTORY
3)   REQUEST FOR 2007 SCIENCE FAIR JUDGES UPDATE (2/18/07)
4)   HYDROGEOLOGICAL RESEARCH SPARKED IDEA FOR AQUITARD COURSE
5)   POSITION OPENINGS
      2007-015 Columbus State University, College of Science, Department of Chemistry and
      Geology: Assistant Professor in Physical Science
      2007-16 The Colorado College; Assistant professor
6)   CONTACT INFORMATION

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Thanks to everyone who contributed to this issue of E-mail News
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1)   AWGF CALL FOR PROPOSALS

The AWGF Board of Directors will be meeting with the AWG Board of Directors in Long Beach, CA on March 31st.  If you have a proposal ready by March 10th, e-mail it to the AWGF Secretary, Mary Gilliam, gilliam@rmi.net

We were able to fund several projects at the Fall Board of Director’s Meeting so our funds are limited for this year’s funding cycle, however planning ahead for the next few years will help us gauge our fundraising to accommodate new programs.  A preponderance of our proposals are presented during the AWG Fall Board Meeting so if you would like feed back on pre-proposals (new programs) we are open to receiving them during the Spring meeting.  Again we will not consider any proposal that has not been submitted by March 10th.  As you are writing your proposal keep in mind when you will need the funds (scholarships, awards, etc.).  The AWGF fiscal year runs from October 2006 to September 2007.  To submit a proposal use the Request for Funding forms on the Foundation page of the AWG Web site:  www.awg.org

We encourage you to empower yourself and others by filling out these easy-to-use forms.

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2)   AWG MEMBERSHIP DIRECTORY

An updated version of the AWG Membership Directory is available on the website, http://www.awg.org/members/directory/index.html.

Please double check the accuracy of your information.  Contact the AWG business manager with any corrections (Janelle Gerry jbird@neb.rr.com).
     
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3)   REQUEST FOR 2007 SCIENCE FAIR JUDGES UPDATE (2/18/07)

AWG provides Student Award for Geoscience Excellence (SAGE) certificates through Science Service, the sponsoring organization of the International Science and Engineering Fair (ISEF), to young women whose projects exemplify an understanding of our world and its processes.  As the AWG point-of-contact for Science Service, fair directors often contact me with requests for science fair judges.  In addition, some non-ISEF fairs also contact me for judges or award certificates.  I would like to share information concerning several fairs searching for judges from the AWG membership.  Please contact any of the fairs listed below directly, or contact Valerie Honeycutt (jvhoney@sbcglobal.net or 972-989-1583) to find out how you can help!  PLEASE NOTE – If you don’t see a fair listed below for your area, this does NOT mean that your area doesn’t have any fairs giving out the AWG certificate, only that they have not directly contacted me about providing a judge.  Please visit the Science Service website at http://www.sciserv.org/isef/aff_fairs/aff_fairsearch.asp for a comprehensive list of the regional ISEF-affiliated science fairs giving out AWG certificates.  They are almost always looking for judges!  Thanks! 

The science fairs whose directors have contacted me requesting Special Awards judges to present an AWG certificate are as follows (please note that other fairs may also need judges and a list can be obtained on the Science Service website):

            Date: Saturday, March 3, 2007
            Place: Student Centennial Union Ballroom, Minnesota State University, Mankato
            Attendance of 7th-12th graders: 300
            Times of Judging: 9:30 AM-12:30 PM
            Special Awards Judging: 12:30-2:30 PM
            Awards Ceremony: 4:00-5:30 PM Ostrander Auditorium, Minnesota State University,
            Mankato

            Director: William Bessler (507-389-1887) William.Bessler@mnsu.edu
            Please contact Mary Van Duynhoven, Administrative Assistant at science.fair@mnsu.edu
            or (507) 389-2849 for more information concerning these fairs.

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4)   HYDROGEOLOGICAL RESEARCH SPARKED IDEA FOR AQUITARD COURSE
      2007-013

How many times have you learned of a shallow groundwater contamination problem and heard someone say “We don’t have to worry about the deep aquifer, it is protected by an overlying aquitard”?  How many times have you seen cross sections showing that downward migration of contaminants stops at a clay or shale layer?  Have you ever really investigated these aquitards?  How do you know they are effective barriers to contaminant movement?

A team of researchers from the Wisconsin Geological and Natural History Survey, Marshfield Clinic, and University of Waterloo recently completed a review of aquitard science for the American Water Works Association Research Foundation (AwwaRF).  This work has evaluated the state of aquitard science and has also summarized the most appropriate methods for aquitard assessment, with emphasis on contaminant movement.  Technical reports from this work are currently available to AwwaRF subscribers (including most water utilities) through the AwwaRF website (http://www.awwarf.org/research/).
 
Aquitards (low-hydraulic conductivity hydrogeologic units) are critically important for understanding groundwater protection, drinking water supplies, and contaminant movement.   Although aquitards often seem to make up only minor parts of hydrostratigraphic sequences they commonly control the overall groundwater flow system by influencing recharge, head distributions, groundwater flow paths, and contaminant migration.  Characterizing aquitards for environmental and water resource projects is therefore essential for protecting deep aquifers, siting municipal wells, and understanding potential contaminant pathways for impacted aquifers.   Both unconsolidated and bedrock aquitards share inherent low hydraulic conductivities, but approaches and field methods for characterizing each type can be completely different.  Appropriate characterization requires site-specific understanding about the aquitard’s origin, unit distribution, heterogeneity, fracturing, and the effects of secondary weathering or tectonics.

The AwwaRF study determined that aquitards are far more complex than the monolithic, extensive layers usually shown in hydrogeology textbooks.  Many, if not most, aquitards contain fractures, macropores, windows, or other heterogeneities that can compromise their ability to protect adjacent aquifers.  The concept of aquitard integrity addresses these issues.  Investigations of aquitards should always collect data inside the aquitard as opposed to the common practice of data collection above and below the aquitard.  Often, the protective or low-hydraulic conductivity zone of an aquitard is far thinner than the mapped thickness of the stratigraphic unit containing the aquitard.  Appropriate investigations for aquitard analysis should include a combination of hydraulic, geophysical, isotopic, and geochemical testing.
 
Recent studies in the Upper Midwest have launched deep aquifer contamination to the forefront of the public news.  For example, some Midwestern municipal wells are cased through regionally-extensive and thick bedrock aquitards, yet contaminants, including relatively short-lived viruses, have been detected in these deeply-cased wells.  In addition, recent studies of the regionally important Maquoketa Shale have shown that the shale is far more complex than the thick aquitard often shown on cross sections, and contains fractures, internal heterogeneity and flow systems, and cross-connecting wells.

As a result of these emerging advances and the recognition of their importance, the researchers have collaborated with the Midwest GeoSciences Group and the Association of Environmental and Engineering Geologists by designing a 3-day course: Assessing Ground Water Movement and Contaminant Migration Through Aquitards: From Field Investigation to Hydrogeologic Characterization.  The collaborators chose Fermilab in Batavia, Illinois for the course location because of its conducive setting for testing aquitard integrity.   The geologic framework at Fermilab consists of a stacked succession of clayey glacial units and underlying regional bedrock aquitard coupled with the extensive field instrumentation installed in each unit.  Vertically nested wells and a single-borehole, multi-level monitoring system allow aquitard integrity testing and a side-by-side comparison of field methods appropriate to assess low-conductivity conditions.
This course can be applied to any aquitard setting.  The sedimentary succession and the underlying sequence of Silurian-age dolomite and Ordovician Maquoketa Shale represent geologic conditions similar to those found throughout Wisconsin and in many other areas throughout the continental United States.  Further information can be found on-line at www.aegweb.org.
     
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5)   POSITION OPENINGS

2007-015
Columbus State University, College of Science, Department of Chemistry and Geology
Assistant Professor in Physical Science (position number 07-2-78)

Start Date
August 2007

Position Summary
The Department of Chemistry and Geology at Columbus State University invites applications for a full-time, tenure-track appointment at the level of Assistant Professor to begin teaching in August 2007.  Teaching duties will include developing and teaching a new Physical Science course and laboratory for elementary and middle-school teachers.  The Physical Science course must be developed according to strict Georgia Board of Regents guidelines.  The faculty member will also be expected to teach other introductory and/or advanced courses within the department in the discipline of the candidate’s Ph.D.  Other job duties include academic advising, helping with existing programs to recruit and retain secondary science and math teachers, active involvement with and leadership in educational outreach activities such as Engineering Night, Science Olympiad, Science Fair, and/or Astronomy Night, and other service duties necessary to build and maintain a vibrant and collegial department.  Candidates must also be committed to quality teaching and to continued scholarly and instructional development.  This position is available pending budget approval from the Board of Regents.

Minimum Qualifications
Applicants should possess a strong and demonstrated interest in teaching and hold a doctorate degree by the time of appointment.  The doctoral degree should be in Physics, Astrophysics, Engineering, Geology, Chemistry, or related field.  Possession of a doctorate in Science Education is also considered acceptable training if at least 18 hours of graduate education were obtained in a science discipline relevant to the hiring department.  The successful candidate will demonstrate outstanding oral and written communication skills and exhibit a commitment to excellence in science education in a student-centered environment.  The successful candidate will be able to teach and work with persons from culturally diverse backgrounds.  Familiarity with the use of performance standards and assessment is preferred.  Applicants must satisfy the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS) requirements in order to gain employment at Columbus State University.

Application Procedures
This search will remain open until a suitable candidate is selected.  Review of applications will begin March 12.  For full consideration, applicants should submit a letter of interest describing relevant experience and qualifications for this unique position, recent letters from at least three references who may be contacted, a curriculum vitae, a comprehensive statement of teaching philosophy, a statement of research interests applicable to a primarily undergraduate institution, a reprint of a recent publication(s) and/or conference papers, unofficial transcripts, and evidence of successful teaching experience to: Dr. Z. Webster, Physical Science Search Committee, Department of Chemistry and Geology, Columbus State University, 4225 University Avenue, Columbus, GA 31907.  Applicants must provide official transcripts at the time of interview. Columbus State University embraces its diverse student body and the College of Science strongly values outstanding teaching and those who educate future teachers. Minorities and women are encouraged to apply.  Columbus State University is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer.  See details about the department at http://chemgeo.colstate.edu.  A SUCCESSFUL CRIMINAL BACKGROUND CHECK WILL BE REQUIRED AS A CONDITION OF EMPLOYMENT.

Contact Information
Dr. Z. Webster, Physical Science Search Committee, Department of Chemistry and Geology, Columbus State University, 4225 University Avenue, Columbus, GA 31907.  See details about the department at http://chemgeo.colstate.edu.

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2007-16
The Colorado College
Assistant professor

The Department of Geology seeks applications for a one-year non-tenure track position in sedimentary geology beginning in September 2007.  Ph.D. or ABD is required.  Appointment will be at the assistant professor level for a candidate with a PhD.

Expectations include teaching Sedimentation/Stratigraphy, Introductory Geology, and other courses in the candidates' areas of specialty.  Ability to teach classes in Oceanography and/or Paleontology would be preferred.  Undergraduate research is an integral part of our curriculum, and willingness to advise research in the candidates' areas of expertise would be a distinct advantage.  The College is committed to increasing diversity of the community and curriculum. Candidates who can contribute to that goal are particularly encouraged to apply.

Applicants must be committed to high-quality innovative undergraduate teaching, including field-oriented courses.  The Block System of education at Colorado College, in which professors teach and students take only one course at a time for 3-1/2 weeks, lends itself to field and project-based teaching.  The Department has excellent field and laboratory facilities for teaching and research.

Send a statement of teaching and research interests and a curriculum vitae, and have letters sent by three referees to: Dr. Paul Myrow, Chair, Department of Geology, Colorado College, Colorado Springs, CO 80903, pmyrow@coloradocollege.edu.  Review of applications will begin April 2, 2007.  Applications will be accepted until the position has been filled.

The Colorado College welcomes members of all groups, and reaffirms its commitment not to discriminate on the basis of race, color, age, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, or disability in its educational programs, activities, and employment practices.
 
EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER

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6)   CONTACT INFORMATION

      To submit an item to E-MAIL NEWS contact: editor@awg.org
      To submit advertising contact: ads@awg.org
      To change your address or be removed from the list contact: office@awg.org