The Big Dip Redux volunteer project draws volunteers concerned about water quality

Andrew Overbee participates in the Big Dip Redux volunteer water project on Saturday, Sept. 10.

Testing stream water sites is a volunteer project in the region. Students and community members from all over Eastern Kentucky participated in The Big Dip Redux, a 9/11 National Day of Service Project on Saturday, Sept. 10. The event is part of a larger Kentucky Community and Technical College System (KCTCS) Service Learning Initiative that seeks to use service learning to increase student success and build soft skills needed in the workforce.

It s science by the people, for the people, noted Jenny Williams, a professor of English at Hazard Community and Technical College and one of the organizers. This gives students a chance to use the skills they learn in the classroom writing, math, science to think critically about a tangible issue in our community, one that affects everybody. And it exposes them to ideas and career paths they might not have considered previously. Plus it was just great fun, to be out on a pretty day doing real science and making a difference!

Professor Williams, Professor Amy Wernette, and Professor Matt Druen were the KCTCS leads who worked on the project with Dr. Alice Jones of EKU. They were grateful to those HCTC and EKU students, employees, and community members who gave up their Saturday for this important project. The group hopes to make the Big Dip an annual event.