Geoprobe® Demo Gives Penn State Students Tools for Success

The graduate-level Groundwater Remediation class at Penn State University’s main campus in University Park participated in a hands on demonstration of Geoprobe® soil and groundwater sampling tools led by Victor Rotonda, Manager of the Geoprobe® Mid-Atlantic region. Dr. Rachel Brennan, Assistant Professor in Penn State’s Civil and Environmental Engineering Department, arranged for the demonstration for her class. “During the demonstration, we discussed the theory behind direct push technology, and the impact it has had on the environmental industry,” Victor said. After equipping them with the proper safety gear, the students had the opportunity to operate the Geoprobe® 5410 machine. They helped collect soil samples using Macro-Core® tooling down to 30 feet bags, and were able to inspect and discuss the sample contents after the liners were opened. Groundwater samples were also collected. “This was a great opportunity for these students,” Dr. Brennan added. “Many of them will go on to be practicing remediation engineers, so this demonstration gave them hands on experience with some of the tools they will be using in their professional lives. Victor gave all of the students the opportunity to actually do the work and easily answered the questions they had. The presentation was excellent!” Other topics discussed included conventional well construction, the installation of prepacked screen monitoring wells, hydraulic conductivity, and pneumatic slug testing.

Victor Rotonda shows the students how it is done.
A group of students learn the ropes of Geoprobe® machinery.	After the liner contents were exposed, Penn State Groundwater Remediation students examined, bagged, and tagged the soil cores. Some of the samples were put on ice so a mock treatability study could be performed at a later date.
Eight Groundwater Remediation students at Penn State University braved a chilly morning to learn about direct push technology and how Geooprobe® tooling could impact their professional careers.	Victor Rotonda (left), Mid-Atlantic Regional Manager for Geoprobe Systems®, assists Penn State students Dan Wagner (at the controls) and Charles Winslow during the sampling portion of a demonstration at the Penn State Campus in University Park. (left) Tinina Thompson and Dan Wagner work with extension rods during the sampling process as Charles Winslow observes.
Tinina Thompson (right) and Jeff McDonough (left), Penn State University students, operate the Geoprobe® 5410 during the MC5 soil sampling process.