Outreach

Here are our major outreach activities.

Developing K-12 groundwater teaching modules in collaboration with high school teachers
Developing visual teaching tools for groundwater science education
General public outreach activities (e.g., Science Museum of Minnesota, MESTA, 2022 Earth Educators’ Rendezvous conference)
Professional working group on fractured rock hydrogeology
Accessible field hydrogeology modules
Undergraduate research internships. If you are motivated and interested in undergraduate research opportunities, please email Peter (pkkang@umn.edu).

Collaboration with high school teachers

Kang and his group have been closely collaborating with high school teachers through the Minnesota Earth Science Teachers Association (MESTA) to introduce their research and teaching materials into the high school curriculum. This collaboration is timely because the 2019 Minnesota K-12 Academic Standards in Science set new expectations for achievements in science for K-12 students. One key outcome of this collaboration is a 6-week teaching unit focused on groundwater. About 400 students benefited directly from this teaching unit, many of whom are from underrepresented groups. This effort is partly funded through Peter's NSF CAREER project (EAR 2046015).

Visual teaching tools

Recent studies have shown the critical role of visualization in learning, particularly in fostering metacognitive skills. Kang's team has been developing innovative visual teaching tools designed to elucidate subsurface flow and transport concepts. These tools have been successfully integrated into educational curricula, ranging from K-12 to college-level classes. A prime example is the SAFL flume, equipped with fracture networks, which vividly demonstrates 3D transport processes. Additionally, these visual tools are not limited to classroom settings; they are also often employed in public outreach events (Science Museum of Minnesota, MESTA conference, 2022 Earth Educators’ Rendezvous), where they play a crucial role in making complex scientific concepts accessible and engaging to the general public.

Professional working group on fractured rock hydrogeology

Modeling fractured aquifers is a challenging topic, and there are major gaps between academia, industry, and regulatory agencies. Peter has been forming a cohesive working group to identify gaps in fractured rock hydrogeology and ways to bridge them. The group will identify the critical gaps between academia, industry, and government agencies in the area of fractured rock hydrogeology and promote knowledge transfer between academia and industry. As part of this effort, various hydrogeology internship opportunities will be offered to undergraduates and graduate students.

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