With schools closed in spring 2020, RCA was unable to lead its semi-annual stream investigation field trip with the 6th graders from Burley Middle School. We missed getting out in the water with the students, but we still wanted to give them an opportunity to do real-world research, especially in this time of online-only learning. We also wanted to encourage the students to get to know the waterways in their own neighborhoods. To this end, RCA put together at-home stream investigation kits and with the help of Burley Middle School’s science teachers, delivered these kits to interested students. 

The kits provided detailed background information about water quality and step-by-step instructions and materials for testing pH, dissolved oxygen, nitrates, and phosphates. The results of the students’ water quality testing efforts are provided in the map below. 

We are thankful for the students’ enthusiastic efforts in collecting and analyzing their water quality samples and for the support of their caregivers. We are also thankful to Burley Middle School for working with us on this unexpected, but rewarding project.  

Click on each dot to see the data recorded for these sites. (*Please note that the stream monitoring locations are approximated.*)