According to Penn State Extension, "Youth play an important role in becoming informed citizens and future decision makers. Engaging them in educational opportunities about water, science, and technology now will help to create a future generation of water stewards and innovators." In an effort to teach children about watersheds and human impact, the CES has teamed up with a local 4th grade classroom from Waco Elementary. The Madison County CES and Waco Elementary have a history of the stream study.  Over the years we have collected over 10 years worth of data from the stream study.  However, last year we were forced to resort to teaching macro invertebrates and stream study on a Zoom hosted by the CES. With COVID restrictions and numbers rising in our county we were not sure we were going to be able to perform a live stream study.  The CES prepped the teachers by sending macro invertebrates PowerPoints and guides to help teach the students in class.  The CES also coordinated with teachers about finding a time gathering supplies in order to make this field trip possible.  

Fortunately, the Principal at Waco Elementary values 4-H and this particular field trip because of the Science standards it meets and the students literally get to be scientists through this hands-on opportunity.  In order to meet the Science standards, the CES organized with the teachers on how to classify the biological testing by collecting macro invertebrates.  The CES providing nets, buckets, and pocket guides to help assist the students in collecting and classifying.  The CES also created a lesson on checking the quality of the stream by looking at the chemical testing aspect.  The CES used digital monitors with the students to check the pH level and the dissolved oxygen.  The CES also provided digital thermostats for the students to check the temperature.  After these tests and the collecting, the students gathered around to share their data and enter data into their handouts. By the classification process and using the formula, the result of the stream study revealed that the quality of the stream is excellent. 

The biggest compliments by parent volunteers, teachers, and even the Principal is seeing the pictures and the comments on their social media sites.  It was a success and it happened the be Waco Elementary's first field trip since COVID.  Needless to say, this is a 4-H field trip that will continue throughout the years, but it is always good to hear from the school's administration how value the CES is to their community.