Research Experiences for Teachers Program

Water UCI connects students with local water agencies and drives workforce development in the region to train the next generation of water leaders.

As part of this mission, Water UCI is home to a National Science Foundation Research Experiences for Teachers program.  Each summer, 12-20 middle school, high school and community college teachers attend UCI for eight weeks over the summer period.  During this time they complete research on water resources and develop a curriculum based on this research that can be applied in their classrooms. 

Teachers trained in this program have developed curriculum focused on:

• Evaluate competing design solutions for maintaining biodiversity and ecosystem services.
• Using low-flow appliances to conserve water
• Using a gradient and directional derivative to assess changes in water temperature
• Water filtration performance testing
• Local water and watershed cycles
• Urban Runoff – engineering solutions with the structure of concrete
• Relationships between income and water usage during periods of drought
• Urban runoff water quality lab
• Wastewater treatment lab
• Connecting the concepts of piecewise functions, limits, and continuity with tiered water rate payment systems
  

Assessing Career Preferences in the Workplace to Support Workforce Development in the Water Sector

The Career Preference survey assesses undergraduate and graduate students’ workplace preferences. The data collected here provides insight into what students seek in their careers while also evaluating their knowledge of what careers the water sector has to offer. This information may better inform workforce development efforts by referencing undergraduates’ and graduates’ general preferences in the workplace. Furthermore, the short answer responses (Appendix A) provide insight into respondents’ preferences and knowledge of water sector careers. 

Field Studies

Students from the School of Social Ecology work with Water UCI to complete research projects that range from policy proposals for dealing with contaminants of concern to public education and communication strategies for the water sector. Students work with Water UCI faculty to learn more about water systems and develop innovative solutions to water problems.