[424] ENVIRONMENTAL AWARENESS FOCUS OF EARTH DAY 2009 AT MTSU

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: April 17, 2009
EDITORIAL CONTACT: Dr. Mark Abolins, 615-594-4210

ENVIRONMENTAL AWARENESS FOCUS OF EARTH DAY 2009 AT MTSU
Test Water, Identify Rocks and Fossils, Observe Environmental Computer Program

(MURFREESBORO) – Water testing, computer demonstrations, and rock and fossil identifications are all part of MTSU’s celebration of Earth Day, Wednesday, April 22.
Earth Day began in 1970 as a nationwide protest against the deterioration of the environment. Some 20 million Americans answered U.S. Sen. Gaylord Nelson’s call to participate in teach-ins and demonstrations. The event marked the beginning of the modern environmental movement.
“Earth Day provides a very good opportunity to get MTSU students involved in understanding the earth through science,” says Dr. Mark Abolins, associate professor of geology. “Through involvement in the MTSU Geosciences Program, students can become part of the solution to the environmental problem.”
From 10:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. on Earth Day, students in Dr. Warner Cribb’s Geology 4000 class will conduct 100 free geochemical analyses of metals in drinking water in the MTSU inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry lab. Anyone wishing to have a water sample tested should pick up a vial and instructions in Room 325 in the Kirksey Old Main (KOM) building. The students will be available to explain the analytical method used to test the water and the results of each analysis.
From 4-6 p.m., faculty members will explain the use of computers to solve environmental problems in the Global Information Science Lab in Room 308 of KOM. The Academy Award-winning documentary “An Inconvenient Truth” will be shown at 6 p.m. in Room 452 of KOM. Drs. Jim Henry and Melissa Lobegeier of the Department of Geosciences will facilitate a question-and-answer session following the film. Henry also will entertain questions about the recent tornadoes in middle Tennessee.
Dr. Clay Harris will identify fossils and rocks from 4-6 p.m. in Room 300 of KOM. Members of the MTSU community and the general public may bring fossils and rocks to Harris for identification.
“Fossils and rocks tell the story of Earth’s past environments and provide insights into environmental change,” says Abolins.
All Earth Day activities at MTSU are free of charge. Media welcomed. For more information, contact Abolins at 615-594-4210 or mabolins@mtsu.edu.