The Omicron Alpha chapter of Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society at Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College’s Harrison County Campus received a $1,000 Honors in Action grant to enhance their 2020 Honors in Action project.  Phi Theta Kappa and the Mellon Foundation teamed up to fund the 2020 HIA grants.

The chapter’s project involves testing storm water runoff in Gulfport at Courthouse Road outflow for boron, nitrates, nitrites, chlorides, and the organisms vibrio vulnificus and coliform bacteria. Data from that project will determine what steps the group will take.

Each year, PTK chapters choose an Honors in Action Project that combines academic research, problem solving, and action-oriented service to address real-world challenges in their communities.  “At the beginning of the fall semester, the Omicron Alpha members chose the stormwater runoff or outflow as an issue to study,” said Dr. Pat West, Omicron Alpha Chapter advisor. “The grant will provide us the opportunity to purchase items needed for the testing, so we are very excited about receiving it and getting started.”

West said that the chapter is being mentored by Dr. James Farmer, MGCCC Harrison County Campus science faculty member. Farmer is overseeing sample collection, data gathering and research to ensure the project is successful.

Grant money will be used to purchase supplies for the project such as Enterolert test packs, trays and sodium thiosulfate 100 MCE   Sterile Vessels, 50 Extragene 2.0 ml Cryovials and 100 MCE Sterile Gridded Membrane Filters.

Honors in Action Projects will be submitted to PTK’s international headquarters in January 2021.