Summer SAVY 2017, Session 6/Day 3- Environmental Hydrology (Rising 2nd/3rd)

Posted by morganr1 on Wednesday, July 26, 2017 in SAVY.

How is water polluted? Who dirtied the Cumberland River? How do different land uses impact our watershed? Well, today we learned that due to non-point source pollution, the answer may be more complicated than we initially thought! Taking on roles of various community members, the students explored the history of the Cumberland River and how it became polluted. Everyone played a part and all pollutants, including sediment, nutrients, toxic chemicals, pathogens, litter, and thermal pollution, were included into our discussion. We even discovered that rivers can catch fire!

In a quick discussion of the Great Pacific Garbage Patch, we learned how litter can harm animals and aquatic ecosystems. Discussion questions included: What is the problem? How does it make us feel? And how do we address the problem as scientists?

Next the students put on their problem-solving hats to complete Pollution P.I. Students linked water quality parameters to a report from stations along a monitored stream. (Typically an activity for high schoolers, the students blew me away with their critical thinking skills and team work!)

I hope my student-hydrologists are having as much fun as I am! Get ready to explore the engineering side of hydrology tomorrow!

Ms. Chelsea Peters