Participation Type
Poster
Session Title
Poster
Presentation #1 Title
Experiential Learning: A Marcellus Shale Listening Project
Presentation #1 Abstract or Summary
This poster session provides an overview and preliminary findings of a Marcellus Shale Listening Project conducted by students at Frostburg State University as part of their participation in the Appalachian Regional Commission's Teaching Project. Partnering with members of the Savage River Watershed Association, students are interviewing area residents to document hopes and concerns regarding the potential for natural gas extraction in western Maryland. Modeling their work after similar projects in Ohio, New York, and Pennsylvania, students and members of the Savage River Watershed Association believe that an awareness of public opinion on the issue will be beneficial to State and local government officials and county planners as the region continues to debate the role of gas development in the State. This session describes some of the challenges involved in conducting a listening project on such a potentially contentious issue. To overcome those challenges, students have been trained to listen, record, and respect a full range of opinions and attitudes while avoiding imposing an agenda or opinion-based approach to the topic.
At-A-Glance Bio- Presenter #1
Kara Rogers Thomas is an Associate Professor of Sociology at Frostburg State University. She'll be presenting with students enrolled in her courses, "Folklore in Appalachia" and "Sociology of the Environment."
Experiential Learning: A Marcellus Shale Listening Project
This poster session provides an overview and preliminary findings of a Marcellus Shale Listening Project conducted by students at Frostburg State University as part of their participation in the Appalachian Regional Commission's Teaching Project. Partnering with members of the Savage River Watershed Association, students are interviewing area residents to document hopes and concerns regarding the potential for natural gas extraction in western Maryland. Modeling their work after similar projects in Ohio, New York, and Pennsylvania, students and members of the Savage River Watershed Association believe that an awareness of public opinion on the issue will be beneficial to State and local government officials and county planners as the region continues to debate the role of gas development in the State. This session describes some of the challenges involved in conducting a listening project on such a potentially contentious issue. To overcome those challenges, students have been trained to listen, record, and respect a full range of opinions and attitudes while avoiding imposing an agenda or opinion-based approach to the topic.
