Student research teams will evaluate one of Earth’s unique biomes, the Appalachian Headwaters in the Eastern Kentucky Coal Field. As a research team, the students will focus their research on the Appalachian Headwaters Health by investigating the soil/water quality as related to the effect of coal mining method of Mountain Top Removal. The research team will create a report on the Appalachian Headwaters Health comparing the typical flora and fauna, and unique organisms of a mountain top removal reclaimed mining site, (Elkhorn Educational Park in Floyd County Kentucky) and a virgin first growth forest, (Lilly Cornet Woods in Letcher County Kentucky.