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Outdoor Classrooms to Help Students Test Water Quality

Release Date: 04/07/2010
Contact Information: Kris Lancaster, 913-551-7557, lancaster.kris@epa.gov


Environmental News

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

(Kansas City, Kan., April 7, 2010) - A team of EPA scientists will participate with groups of elementary school students at a series of events during April to test water quality and examine aquatic life in ponds and streams in Kansas and Missouri.

EPA scientists will teach students about the chemistry of water bodies as well as their biology. They will also look for certain species of fish and insects that indicate pond and stream health.

Students will also learn about water’s physical environment and habitats and how various land uses and urban runoff can affect a watershed and the stream into which it drains. These lessons will be included in the students' normal curriculum.

Three events are planned:

• Friday, April 16, 10 a.m. to noon: A team of scientists will provide outdoor classroom presentations for about 600 third, fourth and fifth grade students from the Kansas City, Kansas, School District at Theodore Naish Scout Reservation, 1100 Martinek Lane, Bonner Springs, Kan.

• Monday, April 19, 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.: EPA will have instructional booths and join about 20 third and fifth grade students at a pond near Northern Hills Christian Academy, 17211 N.E. 180^th Street, Holt, Mo.

• Friday, April 23, 1:45 p.m. to 2:30 p.m.: Scientists will use water monitoring equipment and discuss water quality protection with about 50 second grade students at Sante Fe Trail Elementary School, 7100 Lamar, Overland Park, Kan.