I facilitate the learning process of students in biological topics of interest in the social work field

Currently developing online courses/classrooms related to Urban Studies and facilitating department faculty in their “journey” at MU

My affiliation with this institute as a Senior Research Affiliate is to write/secure support monies and conduct independent research associated with a variety of topics related primarily to stream and watershed health.

Update 2-21-2012: My project tenure has ended but I am still working to complete manuscripts and a few loose ends. If you would like to view the project progress visit http://ohiowatersheds.osu.edu/usda/education or email me at dhersha@gmail.com.I am currently working on a social science project despite the fact that I am a natural scientist. I believe it is important to know how each discipline operates. We are trying to determine what high school students, their parents, and community members, particularly streamside landowners, know and need to know to become good stewards of their streams. We are using a mental models approach. We will mediate the knowledge gaps in the school setting by curriculum infusions. The community will be offered new webtools to enhance their decision making skills regarding management of the community streams. This project culminates with a series of structured decision making stakeholder meetings that will include research participants. The end goal is to provide an opportunity for them to become active in decision making regading their community water system.