Grant Topic 3: Water Quality

Overview

Applicants will be asked to break this down in more detail in the application.

Students will work together to test various water quality parameters and conduct a macroinvertebrate sampling at locations along the Hillsborough River. To determine a healthy ecosystem, students will work in groups and use different monitoring tools to collect data on the river’s temperature, pH, dissolved oxygen, turbidity and nutrient levels. Students will also use dipnets and a dichotomous key to collect and identify macroinvertebrates found in the river to further evaluate water quality. Back in the classroom, students will compare and assess their data.

Prior to the field study, students will learn how to use each of the water monitoring tools in the classroom. Students will also gain a basic understanding of watersheds, human impact and how pollutants can move across the land and into nearby water resources through stormwater runoff. This will be done using an EnviroScape watershed model and by having students complete the Make Your Own Watershed activity.

Budget

This is an example budget and does not indicate the actual cost of programs or items.