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Upper Iowa University professor takes environmental science to local high schools

FAYETTE, IOWA (May 10, 2006) – Dr. Katherine McCarville, assistant professor of geosciences at Upper Iowa University, will be conducting a series of teaching visits to local high schools during May. McCarville will be teaching from National Oceanic and Atmospheric Association (NOAA) materials that address a global environmental concern regarding seabirds ingesting plastic.

The lecture will detail how seabirds, thinking plastic is food, feed it to their babies. This, in turn, is causing young seabirds to die at an alarming rate. The class will also feature several hands-on exercises, including a virtual dissection, a comparison of plastic shapes found in the ocean to the seabirds’ natural food, and a quantitative exercise with environmental science content.

According to McCarville, “Even though we live in the Midwest, the ocean is not as distant as one might think. It brings us rain, provides food, and drives a lot of other things in the earth’s system.” She adds, “Northeast Iowa needs to better understand environmental science in order to preserve the land that is held so dear in this area.”

The series will start at Postville High School, and then continue on to Decorah and other area schools. McCarville holds a doctorate in Paleontology/Geology from South Dakota School of Mines and Technology and will teach classes such as Intro to Geology and Soil Genesis Classification and Morphology this fall at Upper Iowa’s Fayette campus.

To learn more about the NOAA and other environmental concerns, go to www.noaa.gov.

About Upper Iowa University

Founded in 1857, Upper Iowa University is a private, not-for-profit university providing educational excellence and leadership development to approximately 6,000 students – both nationally and internationally -- at our traditional campus in picturesque Fayette, Iowa; through our various online degree programs; at our U.S. centers; via our correspondence program; and at our international centers in Hong Kong, Singapore, Malaysia and Vancouver. Upper Iowa University is a recognized innovator in the delivery of accredited, quality education and is proud of its diverse range of student populations and progressive, flexible options for traditional and non-traditional students of all ages. To learn more about Upper Iowa University, its degree programs, locations and renowned scholars, please visit us at www.uiu.edu.

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Upper Iowa University
Public Relations
Sheila Miller, Director
563-425-5326
millers@uiu.edu

Upper Iowa University
Public Relations
P.O. Box 1859
Fayette, IA 52142-1859