On December 5th, the annual Student Symposium on the Environment was once again held at Westminster College in Lawrence County marking the 12th straight year the college has hosted the event.

The student symposium arose from the annual Slippery Rock Watershed Coalition Symposium which began in 1996 where students and professionals presented research specifically related to the watershed restoration activities of the SRWC.

After several years, students were given their very own event, which was later expanded to include any environmental related topic. The purpose of the student symposium is to provide a venue for students to showcase their environment-related research, projects, internships, and artwork in a positive and friendly atmosphere.

This year’s event attracted over 80 students from eight regional colleges and universities, including California University of Pennsylvania, Chatham University, Duquesne University, Geneva College, Saint Vincent College, Slippery Rock University, University of Pittsburgh at Greensburg, and Westminster College.

There were also several high school students from Greenville Sr. High School. There were 45 posters and 5 oral presentations.

The quality of the work is always impressive and the judges have a daunting challenge of visiting and evaluating all of those posters!

The following awards and honorable mentions were earned:

-- Environmental Project Poster: “No More Wasting Away: The Reduction of Food Waste and Plastics at Westminster College” by Julia Serbati, Westminster College.

-- Honorable Mention: “Population decline of American kestrels (Falco sparverius): a demographic study “ by Stephanie Van Horn, Westminster College.

-- Research Project Poster: “A Review of Risks and Management Options for Cat Colonies in Suburban and Urban Areas” by Bailey Dunks and Kayla Troxil, Westminster College.

-- Honorable Mention: “ Influence of seasonal land use on breeding site selection and reproductive success of American kestrels in western Pennsylvania “ by Laura Fox, Westminster College.

-- Oral Presentation: “Sulfate Reduction Using an Encapsulated Growth Environment” by Taylor  Rosso, Duquesne University.

-- Honorable Mention: “Characterizing Coqui Frogs in Phipps Conservatory and Botanical Gardens” by Haley Moore, Duquesne University.

-- High School Poster: “Linking Acorn Parasitism Rates with Wood Duck Densities” by Ashley Milleson and Tyler Dickson from Greenville Junior-Senior High School.

-- Honorable Mention: “Web Area as a Predictor of Yellow Garden Spider Size” by Skylar Swartz, Greenville Junior-Senior High School.

[Click Here for more on the award winners.]

Thanks to all who participated, and congratulations to those who won an award! Remember this event takes place every December, so if you missed out this year (as an entrant, judge, or casual attendee) be sure to join us next year!

(Photo: Best High School Project: Ashley Milleson and Tyler Dickson, Greenville High School, "Linking Acorn Parasitism Rates with Wood Duck Densities")

(Reprinted from the December Catalyst newsletter from the Slippery Rock Watershed Coalition.  Click Here to sign up for your own copy.)

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12/30/2019