Student Showcase

Water Snapshot - This water quality sampling event that takes a "snapshot" of the health of the Delaware River Basin's waters serves as an important educational, outreach activity, bringing attention to the need for water quality monitoring and providing much-deserved recognition to those volunteers who participate in monitoring programs throughout the year. The hope of Snapshot -- to create a heightened awareness among participants about their local watersheds, the crucial role these watersheds play in all of our lives, and the need for stewardship -- is alive and well, and is further evidenced by the variety of participants, which includes students of all ages. In past years, with the assistance of National Park Service Upper Delaware rangers, students from schools in the Upper Delaware region of the basin compiled their Water Snapshot results into reports; you can view the students' Upper Delaware Snapshot reports from 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, and 2008 (you will need the free Adobe reader). For additional information on Water Snapshot, please visit the above link.

"Clean Water Begins and Ends With You" Drawing Contest - Every year, the Partnership for the Delaware Estuary invites K-12 students from the City of Philadelphia and from the state of Delaware to create an illustration showing how "clean water begins and ends with you." The illustration has to show how everyday people can help prevent stormwater runoff pollution, one of the greatest threats to water quality in the Delaware Estuary. Judges pick four winners in each grade group: K-2, 3-5, 6-8, and 9-12; there are separate sets of winners for Philadelphia and Delaware. First prize drawings are used to promote the stormwater pollution prevention message on either Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority (SEPTA) buses or Delaware Transit (DART) buses in celebration of Earth Day. In addition, all winning drawings receive a prize and are featured on a calendar. Funding support for this great program comes from the Philadelphia Water Department and the Delaware Department of Transportation (DelDOT). DRBC staff members have been pleased to serve as judges for this excellent project over the years. For additional information on the drawing contest, visit the Partnership for the Delaware Estuary's website at the above link; from there you can also check out the winning artwork from past years. If you would like to order a copy of the free calendar (while supplies last) or have additional questions, please contact Program Specialist Dee Ross at 1-800-445-4935, ext. 106 or by email.

Student Leadership Summit - Students (6-12th graders) and teachers studying aspects of the Delaware River Watershed get together to share research and stewardship initiatives on local watersheds as they network and participate in educational seminars with other students and professionals during the three-day event. The conference includes a river experience, keynote speakers, student presentations, watershed discussions, social and cultural activities, and hands-on workshops for students. The primary sponsor of this event is the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR), Bureau of State Parks - Delaware River Watershed Education. The Delaware River Basin Commission (DRBC) is pleased to support this very worthwhile, educational program. For additional information on the 2006 summit, please visit the above link or contact Bonnie Tobin, Environmental Education Specialist Supervisor, Delaware Canal State Park, at (610) 982-0161 or by email.

F.D. Roosevelt Middle School's "Flooding Destroys Resources - Sharing Knowledge to Save Our Watersheds" Video - Middle school students from Bristol Township, Bucks County, Pa., explore why there appears to be an increase in flood damage in the Neshaminy Creek Watershed and what can be done to prevent future losses (taped 1999; running time approximately 30 minutes) Teacher: Kathleen Horwatt.

Souderton Area High School's "Streamwalk 2000" Video - Join students Dan Hopwood, Chris Powis, and Lisa Michelson as they search for macroinvertebrates in the Macoby Run, Montgomery County, Pa. (taped: October 2000; running time: approximately 10 minutes). To learn more about macroinvertebrates and what they can tell us about water quality, visit the Science Junction and Stroud Water Research Center web sites. Teacher: Colleen Hartman.

F.D. Roosevelt Middle School's Core Creek Watershed Video - View this 30 minute video created by middle school students aimed at educating local citizens and decision makers about the importance of protecting and improving the Core Creek Watershed in Lower Bucks County, Pa. A press release explaining the project also is available. Teacher: Kathleen Horwatt.

Souderton Area High School's "Students Against Violating the Earth"(SAVE) -- Learn about SAVE's nationally recognized, award-winning environmental demonstration home, Project EFFECT (Environmentally Friendly Facility Exploring Conservation). Project EFFECT is featured on Greenworks TV, a presentation of the Environmental Fund for Pennsylvania. Teacher: Ken Hamilton.

Easton Area High School's "Students Against Violating the Earth" (SAVE) Web Site -- This web site highlights many of the activities undertaken by these students, including Stream Watch and Envirothon. Easton Area HS was the host school for the 2001 Student Leadership Summit. Teacher: Rob Reese.

East Hills Middle School's Nature Quest - The web site highlights this environmental-based program for a select group of seventh graders attending East Hills Middle School in the Bethlehem (Pa.) Area School District. Nature Quest uses a mix of learning methods and numerous field trips. Besides the field trips, guest speakers visit the Nature Quest classroom throughout the year. Activities have included Monocacy Stream Walk and Cleanup, as well as stream testing. Teacher: Karl Peters.