Seventh-graders at Rogers City Middle School took part of the morning Tuesday to brave the cold and head to Trout River to do water testing and macro-invertebrate studies on the river.
Partnering with Ralph Stedman of the Presque Isle Conservation District and Presque Isle County drain commissioner Charles Lyon as well as Brandon Schroeder of Sea Grant Michigan, the students are helping to provide valuable water quality data for the community.
The students took water samples which they will test in the classroom as well as getting readings of pH, dissolved oxygen, temperature, total dissolved solids, and conductivity.
Students also collected macro-invertebrates from the river using nets. After gathering a sample in the net the students picked out anything living and set it aside for further testing. Students found several different living organisms and found that the river provided good conditions for the living things.
"It's hands on learning and a community project, that is what is very important. I think the students learn more by doing. They are much more likely to remember it and it is much more enjoyable," said teacher Holly Wirgau.
Wirgau and fellow middle school science teacher David O'Bryant were out with the students to help them gather the samples and will be helping them do studies on the water samples gathered in the coming days.
"This partnership will not only promote increased awareness about watersheds but also will introduce methodology and promote a value system toward good stewardship of the wetland ecosystem," said Lyon.
Students will be returning to get water samples each month and will go back in the spring to do a final water test as well as gather more invertebrates. By Angie Asam/Presque Isle Advance/December 2010