From the Sky-Hi Daily News (Tonya Bina):
Jon Ewart of the Colorado Division of Wildlife showed students the spawning process of live salmon and the importance of lake and river health for fish; Jim Pokrandt of the Colorado River District had students “draw the perfect river town”; and Dick Batura of Search and Rescue showed students how to perform a Swift Water Rescue. In another room, Ali “Atom” Goosens of Mad Science featured demonstrations on fire, ice and wind.
Similar festivals are held on the Front Range to engage students on the importance of the resource. Werner calls it a “trickle up” theory of education. “It takes a couple of generations before every kid in Colorado understands we have to conserve every drop,” he said.
More education coverage here.
Vail Valley: Waterwise Wednesday
October 26, 2009
Estes Park: Students learn about water quality while participating in ‘River Watch’ program
October 17, 2009
From the Estes Park Trail Gazette (Juley Harvey):
The students became involved after participating with Merrill in the CloudSat program last year, where they collected data on clouds and precipitation. Merrill found the River Watch program and asked the trio to participate this summer. In the River Watch program, they analyzed samples and stored data on the Internet, to be reviewed and evaluated by the Department of Wildlife. They performed tests for pH levels, alkalinity, hardness, temperature, dissolved oxygen, metals and nutrients. Next, they will train their peers. They hope to test more rivers and headwater streams. They started out monitoring Fish Creek, but the project ended quickly, because “the water was like THAT wide. There was not good data.” “The cool parts,” they said, “were learning about and working with chemicals, collecting stuff and knowing we`re collecting our own data. We feel like we definitely made a difference. We learned how to test…and how rivers interact with the ecosystem and how important they are, and how streams are important to the ecosystem. There is only a little bit of streams left. We need to do what we can to keep them clean and healthy.”
More education coverage here.
River Week at Cache La Poudre Middle School
October 4, 2009
From the Fort Collins Coloradoan (Bobby Magill):
It’s River Week at Cache La Poudre Middle School, and for a short window of two weeks, the river, which flows serenely behind the school, serves as an outdoor classroom and laboratory for students…
Though River Week is becoming an annual tradition at the school, Russell said the [recent asphalt] spills gave her an opportunity to compare water quality data her classes gathered from the river last year with similar data they’re gathering since the spills were cleaned up. “We’re going to be looking at all the things that affect how this river remains healthy,” she said in between announcing instructions to her 33-student class, sitting in small groups along the river bank.
Using electronic probes connected to a sensor and a calculator, students fanned out into the river to test the river’s nitrate levels, pH, temperature, water hardness and other qualities. “They are doing science,” Russell said. “This is what professional scientists do when they go out into the field.” Rarely do students get such an opportunity without having to apply for funding for a field trip, she said. The river is in the school’s backyard, allowing for not only scientific study and a chance for students to get their feet wet, but a chance for English, history, math and other classes to integrate the river into their curriculums…
Once back in the classroom, students will crunch their data, compare it to last year’s numbers and then create graphs to illustrate the differences. Honors students, Russell said, will continue to gather data through the winter for a more comprehensive picture of the river’s health. Doing that kind of science in the Poudre not only gives kids an idea about the level of pollution in the river, it helps “us open our eyes to what’s really going on,” said eighth-grader Joe McKey.
More education coverage here.
Snake River watershed: Hands on science project
October 1, 2009
Here’s a recap of a recent science project that saw students scattering about 4 different sites in the Snake River watershed, from Bob Berwyn writing for the Summit Daily News. From the article:
Helped by teachers, parents and staffers from the Keystone Science School, about 100 students from Summit Middle School set up research stations last Friday around Keystone at four different sites to measure dissolved oxygen and zinc levels, look for aquatic insects and take other measurements…
To measure the speed of the river’s flow, the students marked off a 50-foot section with red flags, then dropped apples into the water and used a stopwatch to time how long it took — about eight seconds — for the fruit to float downstream. During the next few weeks, the students will analyze the data in the classroom and put together a report of their findings, said science teacher Brian Richardson. Along with a hands-on lesson in scientific research methods, the students found out that there just isn’t much life in the Snake River around Keystone. The students who were looking for bugs came up empty handed. Seeping from the abandoned mine upstream, concentrations of zinc and other metals exceed state and federal limits, in violation of the Clean Water Act…
The Pennsylvania Mine has been fingered as one of the main sources of pollution, but smaller mines in the basin, as well high levels of natural minerals, also contribute to the problem. The long-range goal is improve water quality in the Snake River to a level that could sustain a natural fishery, said Jean Mackenzie, an EPA researcher who has led recent federal cleanup efforts. Years ago, state environmental experts and local volunteers teamed up to try and treat the water with some man-made wetlands and a passive treatment system, but the scale of the problem overwhelmed those efforts…
The current focus is on trying to pinpoint exactly how the polluted water flows through the Pennsylvania Mine and from other polluted drainages in the area. Some of the most polluted water could be diverted away from Peru Creek, experts said. Another option is to move some of the waste rock from the mine away from the water to reduce the amount of pollution reaching the stream.
Sterling: Children’s Water Festival
May 22, 2009
Here’s a recap of Tuesday’s Children’s Water Festival up at Northeastern Junior College, from Callie Jones writing for the Sterling Journal Advocate. From the article:
This year’s offerings included a presentation by Rebecca Swisher and Gus Cummings from Xcel Energy, who spoke about water and electricity.
There was also a marine biology class led by Jennifer Talagrad, from the University of Colorado, where students got to learn about various life forms that can be found in the ocean, including sharks, whales, octopus, star fish and corral. They also got to see different types of sand.
Another class, Weather Works, offered students a chance to learn about how water is related to weather. During this class, students got to watch Anitta Frank from CU perform several different experiments, including creating a cloud.
In the “Earth Parfaits” class, led by Bruce Bosley from the Colorado State University Logan County Extension office, the students did an experiment where they drilled for water. They used Sprite as an aquifer, ice cream as soil and sprinkles as contaminants and then used a straw to drill water.
The Water Festival committee that helped organize this year’s event included: Joe Frank, general manager of the LSPWCD; Gary Miller, Rick Fleharty and Deanna Eskew from the LSPWCD; and Steve Cramer from the Colorado State University Logan County Extension office.
From the Montrose Daily Press (Matt Lindberg):
The 17th annual fourth-grade water festival was held by Shavano Conservation District, with the goal of educating Montrose and Olathe classes about water. “We do this because we want kids to be aware of the importance in having clean water and conserving it,” Cyndee Feske, Shavano Conservation District representative said. “Hopefully when they grow up, the knowledge will be second nature.” Fourth-graders from Pomona Elementary School make bubbles from soap and water to represent water surface tension during water festival activities at Baldridge Park Tuesday afternoon. Various businesses had representatives on hand giving 16-minute presentations at each site and Feske said they were happy to help.
Here’s a recap of the recent festival from Chris Woodka writing for the Pueblo Chieftain. From the article:
A flood toppled several buildings into a stream Thursday. A screaming mob was sprayed down and scattered by a firehose. Pollution was destroying aquatic life at a dizzying rate. Was it just another day along Fountain Creek? No, it was the annual Children’s Water Festival at Colorado State University-Pueblo, a whole day of learning disguised as fun for about 1,800 fourth-graders throughout Pueblo County.
Loveland: Community Summer Sports Market
April 30, 2009
From the Fort Collins Coloradoan (Bill Prater):
Vowing to raise enough money to keep the Loveland Kids Fishing Derby free and high-quality family event, the Loveland Fishing Club and City of Loveland are sponsoring a first-ever “Community Summer Sports Market,” to be held Saturday, May 16 under the pavilions at Fairgrounds Park. “For $10, any individual or business can buy a 10×10 space to sell their new or used sports-related stuff,” says Tom Miller, past club president and an organizer of the event. “Clean out your garage, earn some spending money and feel good knowing that 100 percent of the money raised through that $10 fee is going to support the Kids Fishing Derby.”
The free, volunteer-run derby attracted more than 1,200 youngsters and their families last spring. In addition to a top prize for biggest fish, every little angler took something away from the Duck Pond in North Lake Park, including dozens of donated fishing poles, tackle boxes and tackle. Many of the parents can recall their own first fishing adventures at the annual community event.
From YourHub.com (Erin Feese):
For their efforts to spread the word about water conservation, high school students from Douglas County were recognized by the Colorado General Assembly on April 16. The Water Ambassador program, kicked off this year by the Douglas County Water Resource Authority, is aimed at raising awareness of water issues among citizens in the region, said Mark Shively, DCWRA executive director. The DCWRA is made up of water providers, municipalities and Douglas County government with the mission of conserving water resources.
As Water Ambassadors, high school students teach fourth graders about water conservation and motivate them to embrace water-wise practices at home, which helps inform and engage parents, Shively said.
Here’s a recap of the 16th annual Children’s Water and Agriculture Festival, from Kristen Plank writing for the Cortez Journal. From the article:
The “water and agriculture” theme swept in students from elementary schools ranging from Blanding, Utah, to Dove Creek for the annual event, organized by the Dolores Water Conservancy District…
Students scampered from one hands-on station to the next with their teachers in tow. Pam Coppinger’s fifth-grade Mancos Elementary School class were eager to share their newfound water knowledge. “We’re learning about how much water we use and where we get water from,” said Jessica Gutierrez, 11. The big topics didn’t deter any of the students. Classmate Anna Cox, also 11, said she learned how water rights work in the area…
Presenter Gabi Morey with the San Juan Mountains Association took a different approach to water education by having the students in her group become water molecules. Each student took a journey through the water cycle. “It’s called ‘The Incredible Journey’ and it offers a different perspective for the students,” Morey said as students bounced from one portion of the room to the other. “People think of the water cycle as cyclical but it’s not.” She said molecules can get stuck in glaciers for thousands of years and stay there instead of moving on to another phase in the cycle.
2009 Science Adventures Summer Camps
March 3, 2009
The best way to interest young people in science and engineering is to get them doing science at an early age, especially hands on outdoors. Here’s a look at the 2009 Science Adventures Summer Camps program, from Business Wire. From the article:
This summer, Science Adventures™ summer camps are introducing an innovative new program line-up to inspire a love of science and the environment. Science Adventures programs’ newest camp, Powerful Planet, offers fun and exciting lessons that teach the importance of energy efficiency and the need to manage our natural resources from wildlife to oil. Children use hands-on activities to explore science, and become better global citizens.
“This year’s Powerful Planet camp offers children the unique opportunity to become part of a global conversation and effort to understand and protect our environment,” said Andy Allan, Director of Program Development, also known as Andy the Science Wiz. “Science Adventures not only offers hands-on interactions that inspire a love of science, but keeps children on the cutting edge of discovery by introducing them to the relevant research being studied and developed today.”
Science Adventures programs are offered to students ages 5 to 12 years, at participating recreation facilities and schools. Children must have completed Kindergarten to enroll. Camps take science education out of the classroom to spark a child’s interest in the world of science and discovery. The 2009 summer camps, now open for enrollment, incorporate hands-on, interactive lessons designed to offer children new ways to learn through exploration, teamwork and engaging projects.
The importance of hands-on learning for elementary school students was highlighted this month in a Purdue University study conducted by the National Science Foundation. The study taught two groups of children about water purification, one by building a device, the other through traditional lecture and reading assignments. The children that learned the purification process through building the device scored 20 points higher on a test covering the subject. Melissa Dark, a professor that worked on the study, commented that the students who took part in the hands-on project learned more and showed deeper understanding of its science principles than the traditionally taught group.
Science Adventures program’s camp curriculum is developed by education experts and features activities that are fun, engaging and inspire exploration, imagination and creativity, while building skills such as self esteem and teamwork. Camps are led by expert instructors in small groups by age level, with each child completing their own projects. “Our camps differ in that we don’t do many group experiments. All children have a chance to build, experiment, and explore on their own,” said Allan.
Campers also have access to Science Adventures program’s exclusive online science club, Kid Zone. Kid Zone is an interactive members-only Web site that features at home science experiments, fun science facts, a downloadable membership card, science games, contests, and prizes.
Science Adventures Summer Science Camps begin the first week of June and are organized in four topical programs designed to engage and excite young minds. Each camp is one-week long with flexible options to accommodate families’ busy summer schedules, including half-day and full-day camps. Parents can enroll online at http://www.scienceadventures.com and may choose to register their children for all four weeks, or just one program. Day camp hours are 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. or 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. for half-day. Camp program schedules vary by geography.
2009 Science Adventures Summer Science Camp programs include:
Powerful Planet: Campers explore the planet’s most powerful forces, discovering how electrical energy can be turned into motion, experimenting with the elements of friction, learning how to use solar energy, gathering wind energy and much more. Lessons include building their own electric car, solar oven, wind turbines and other energy efficient gadgets. During this unit campers also investigate our impact on the environment as they turn eco-detective and conduct science experiments to solve the mystery of the missing turtles.
Gizmo’s Robot Factory: During this week, children discover the world of robotics through several hands-on projects. Campers design and build their very own walking robot while investigating what makes a robot tick. Lessons include taking a robot’s-eye view in 3-D, listening with electronic ears, and wiring a simple circuit. Campers explore the physics of simple machines, electric motors, and pneumatics as they unravel the extreme science of robotics.
Space and Rocketry: Blast off from planet Earth to explore the farthest reaches of the universe by launching your very own rocket! During the week, campers build their very own rocket and Mars rover. Campers investigate how fins stabilize a rocket in mid-flight, what air resistance and air pressure have to do with parachutes and when they must open. On launch day, campers put their rocket knowledge to the test and launch their rockets, which can exceed speeds of 70 mph and climb up to 300 ft. After flying high, campers learn to navigate the surface of Mars as they build their own motorized Mars rover complete with six wheels for surface mobility and an anemometer to investigate wind speeds.
Fabulous Physics Challenge: During this camp, mini-scientists explore how physics relates to their everyday lives from friction and skateboards to electrons and flashlights, investigating how science is all around us. Campers start the week learning about Sir Isaac Newton’s laws as they construct their own bowling alley and learn how weight and force are important to the stability of a flying disc. Campers go on to explore simple machines and build their own catapult basketball game, discover magnetic attraction and repulsion with a game of magnetic darts, and relate air pressure to the pastime sweeping the nation, Sport Stacking.
For more information on Science Adventures Summer Science Camp programs in your area, or to enroll, visit www.scienceadventures.com or call (888) 458-1812.
Project WET
February 18, 2009
From the Highland Ranch Herald: “Great Western Institute, a Highlands Ranch nonprofit, has become the project host for an international water education organization. Tracy Bouvette, a founder of the institute, said the institute trained 60 Douglas County schools teachers so far in Project WET (Water Education for Teachers) curriculum.
“Project WET provides school curriculum in 29 countries and 49 states. The programs are aimed all though the school grades and teaches the water cycle and how human disturbances impact it. WET also looks at watersheds, wetlands and the wildlife that dwells in them, with a cooperative agreement with Ducks Unlimited.”
