This is the 5th year for the Strawberry Creek Monitoring Project at Calvine High School. In 2009-10 66 Biology students learned about watershed health, history, and the effects of runoff and non-point source pollution on waterways and designed a community that reduces urban runoff. The project involves two sites on Strawberry Creek, which is adjacent to the school. Students monitor the two sites for turbidity, nitrates, pH, phosphates, dissolved oxygen, coliform bacteria and temperature changes. The information is compared with previous year’s data. It is also entered on the World Water Monitoring Day site in the fall, and the Global Water Monitoring Site in the spring. The creek is then compared to a nearby trapezoidal creek in terms of land development economics. Students pick up litter and reflect on the importance of civic-mindedness and performing community service.
Sacramento Splash provides materials and curricula. ADLAND Landscape Development provides funds for release time for the teachers to accompany the students on the field trip.
This project was chosen as a Best Practice in 2007-08. See the video at http://www.sdcoe.net/edoptions/service_learning.asp
For more on service learning at Calvine, http://www.egusd.k12.ca.us/calvine/Activities/activities.html
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