At a glance
“The students received hands-on experience designing and building a functioning septic system, while the ACDOH received amazing models to use for future education event. The students learned poorly functioning septic systems can be huge threats to public health, as they can be sources of drinking water contamination, among a myriad of other issues.”
Emily Owczararzak
Five groups of Alfred State Civil Engineering students presented septic tank models and posters to a group of four representatives from the Allegany County Department of Health.
Each group, four or five students, were tasked to build a tabletop septic system along with a poster that detailed the operation of the system and its role as a significant source of groundwater pollution. Students took theoretical explanations they had learned in class and applied them to the hands-on project.
Emily Owczararzak, Environmental Health Director for the Allegany County Department of Health (ACDOH), saw this as a great opportunity to partner with Alfred State. “The students received hands-on experience designing and building a functioning septic system, while the ACDOH received amazing models to use for future education event. The students learned poorly functioning septic systems can be huge threats to public health, as they can be sources of drinking water contamination, among a myriad of other issues.”
“The students had an invaluable hands-on experience, bridging theoretical concepts discussed in the classroom with practical application,” stated Civil Engineering Dr. Maryam Tabatabaei. “By constructing tabletop models of septic tank systems, students deepened their understanding of wastewater treatment processes and their environmental implications.”
Each of the five groups presented and discussed their tabletop systems before answering questions from the representatives from ACDOH. After the presentations, the group of Connor Grohman, Samuel Korsa, Nery Luna, and Nathan Zywiczynski were honored as the winning team.
Dr. Tabatabaei continued, “The collaborative nature of the project fostered essential skills in teamwork and leadership. I am grateful for the expertise provided by the Allegany County Department of Health, whose involvement enhanced the educational impact.”
“The ACDOH hopes to use the student’s models and posters to increase our community outreach capabilities for years to come,” commented Owczarzak. “We really appreciate the time and effort of everyone who was involved in making this collaboration a success.”
