working with students on monitoring projects

WORKING WITH STUDENTS ON MONITORING PROJECTS

Laura KelmDirector of Water Quality Programs

NJ ConfluenceNovember 13, 2015

Why Work with Students?

• Many hands make light work• Field trips can meet two goals at

once - education, data collection• Connections to school - location,

relationship with educator/school• Foster environmental stewards• And more!

• Environmental interest• Varies from casual to potential future career

• Learn about local environment/community• Looks good on college applications/resume• Community service hours• Field trip• Fun!

Why Students Work With Us

How GSWA Works with Students

• Interns – high school, college students• Educational programs• K - 8th grade: strictly educational• 9th grade – college: SWaMP• School Water Monitoring on the Passaic

SWaMP Program Basics

• Involves students in hands-on water monitoring along the Passaic River and its tributaries

• Chemical, visual, biological monitoring• Data entered into mapping website – goal: data use!

• Data accuracy• Depends on student motivations, training,

attention to detail• 8th graders vs. college students

• Safety concerns• Field work – walking in streams, ticks, etc.• Test materials• Protective equipment

• Site Access• Others?

Some Challenges of Working with Students

• Preventative action depends on situation, including age and ability of students• Site access• Wadable or unwadable• Appropriate test methods

Addressing Safety Concerns

Addressing Accuracy Concerns

• Have written procedures!– Project leaders should read and supervise

students to ensure adherence• Include info on what, how, when

– Make sure students read and follow any included directions• Supervision or auditing

Data Use Matters!

• What are you using the data for?• What level of data accuracy is needed?• Submitting to DEP vs. screening for problem vs.

educational use• Parameters, methods, training depend on this

• Study design - session later today!

• Kits with tablets• Safe, easy to use

• Multi-step kits• More complex – many steps to mess up• More accurate

• pH paper• Tricky to read

• Meters/probes• Need calibration?• Durable for student use?

Water Chemistry Methods

• Basic scientific skills• Reading a liquid measurement from the

bottom of the meniscus• How many decimal places to record• Appropriate estimating

Training:Water Chemistry

Training: Macroinvertebrates

• How long to disturb bottom?• Sample size• Mayfly or stonefly?• Increase accuracy by verifying

identification

• Working with students is not about getting free, skilled labor• Students should also benefit• How?• How do we make it stick long-term?

Then What?

In Review

• Rewarding working with students• Be aware of potential challenges• Plan to deal with challenges before they arise

Questions?

Laura KelmDirector of Water Quality ProgramsGreat Swamp Watershed Associationlkelm@greatswamp.org973-538-3500, ext. 16