The irstStudentSymposiumontheEnvironmentwasorganizedby
theSlipperyRockWatershedCoalitioninApril1996.Atthattime,
this symposium was a day‐long event where student and
professional presentations were held in the morning, and a ield
tourwasheld afteraluncheon.Theeventwasheldannuallyuntil
April2002,whenthesymposiumwasmadeseparatefromthe ield
tour,andbecameknownas“InvestigatingWatershedIssues:Sup‐
port Student Research Through Public/Private Partnerships.” The
symposiumthenrangedfromatwotothreedayevent.Thesympo‐
sium has been held at various locations, including Jennings Envi‐
ronmental Education Center, Slippery Rock University, Grove City
College, and Westminster College. The format of the symposium
haschangedoverthepastfewyears.Itisnowbeingheldannually
onthe irstThursdayeveninginDecemberatWestminsterCollege.
HistoryoftheSymposium
Westminster College and the Slippery Rock Watershed Coalition
collaborate on a yearly service learning project that involves student
testing of water at sites being treated passively for abandoned mine
drainage.
The Slippery Rock Watershed Coalition was of icially founded in 1994
afterworkingforseveralyearsonissueswithacidminedrainageinSlip‐
pery Rock Creek. The Slippery Rock Watershed Coalition works in con‐
junction with Jennings Environmental Education Center, federal, state,
andlocalgovernmentalagencies,academicinstitutions,privateindustry,
non‐pro itorganizationsandlocalcitizenstoachievethesegoals:
 To restore the land, water, and wildlife resources of the Slippery
RockWatershed
 To provide an opportunity for individuals, community groups, and
collegestudentstobecomeinvolvedinrestorationefforts
 Todevelopnewtechnologyrelatedtolandrestorationanddischarge
abatement
 Todevelopvariousinformationsourcesforeducationalpurposes
AbouttheSlipperyRockWatershedCoalition
Revised11/7/14
featuringalldisciplines
Formoreinformation:
Dr.HelenBoylan,
EnvironmentalProgramsCoordinator
WestminsterCollege,NewWilmington,PA16172
Email:env@westminster.edu
Phone:724‐946‐6293
www.westminster.edu/environment
Sponsoredby
WestminsterCollege&
SlipperyRockWatershedCoalition
AbouttheSymposium
TheStudentSymposiumontheEnvironmentisheldeach
Pastpresentationtopicshaveincluded:
December to highlight environmental study, research,
AbandonedMineDrainage
artistic expression, and service work being done by
students in the region. Students from all disciplines,
AirQuality
ranging from high school through graduate school, are
AlternativeEnergy
encouraged to participate. Research posters, art work,
oralpresentations,andevenperformancesarewelcome.
Artwork
Dance
CallforParticipants
EcosystemRecovery
Students.
EnvironmentalEducation
Students will be able to submit their presentations in
earlyNovemberatwww.westminster.edu/environment.
EnvironmentalLiterature
Thesubmissiondeadlineandtentativeschedulewillalso
HydraulicFracturing
bepostedontheEnvironmentalProgramswebsite.
InternshipExperiences
Professionals.
Environmental professionals and organizations are
PoliticalEcology
welcome to set up displays during the poster session.
SoilScience
For information please email your request to
env@westminster.edu.
P
P
WaterQuality
O
P
Students use posters and displays to
Duringtheoralpresentationsession,
highlight their recent environmental
students give a 10 minute presenta‐
research, art work, etc. During the
tion or performance of their work,
poster session, visitors have an
followed by a 5 minute question &
opportunity to view student projects
answer period. Audio visual equip‐
and network. While students answer
ment is available for PowerPoint
questionsanddiscusstheirprojects.
presentations,music,etc.
Awards&Recognition
Awards are made possible through generous
donationsbysupporters.Awardsarepresented
for several categories, including best oral and
bestposterpresentation.
Participants and submissions are recognized
through news releases, educational materials,
andsocialmedia.