WAYNESBORO– The Institute is seeking new members to join its student water quality program, Water Striders, as well as its stream monitor team.
Water Striders is a free afterschool water science program for area middle and high school age students. The program runs year-round.
The student group meets monthly to conduct water quality monitoring tests as part of the Antietam Watershed Association’s stream monitoring program. Wading into the stream, they learn about aquatic life and scientific analysis methods, plus participate in other watershed activities and field trips.
The Water Striders group is supervised by Dave Graff, Institute educator and Watershed Science Coordinator.
“We’ve had several great years with our current Water Striders group,” Graff said. “Many of the Striders are graduating this year after spending most of their middle and high school careers with us, so we are looking forward to welcoming new members to the group.”
In addition to Water Striders, adults are sought for another group that monitors area water quality—citizen stream monitors, who work independently to visit area waterways, take water samples, analyze them and record water quality data.
Stream monitors work in cooperation with The Institute and the Antietam Watershed Association, testing the water at 28 established sites in Franklin County. Each volunteer visits one site per month.
For more information, call 717-762-0373 or email to [email protected], or visit The Institute’s website at www.natureandcultureinstitute.org.
