Classroom for the Day

Posted by – Shawn Keenan, Water Resources Coordinator

It was quite a sight to see … Recently, 240 kids from Avondale High School gathered along the banks of the Clinton River at Riverside Park armed with kick nets, waders, tape measures and test tubes.  I am sure many people who drove by wondered … “What in the world are those kids doing?”

Well, they were participating in a real-world science project called “Stream Leaders” sponsored by the Clinton River Watershed Council.  The special one-day event teaches kids about the importance of keeping local rivers clean.  The students first collected macroinvertebrates and water samples from the Clinton River, then recorded and interpreted their findings.  Employees from Chrysler Group, LLC graciously donated their time to help the kids and teachers.

Macroinvertebrates are a great indicator of the long-term health of the river.  Among others, students were finding dragonfly and damselfly nymphs, scuds, crayfish, and caddisfly larvae.  These species are some of the most pollution sensitive, so their presence was a good sign and indicated high water quality.

The kids really enjoyed learning about science in the real world.  It is great that we have a living classroom in our own backyard!