Vermont EPSCoR Graduate Research Associates Caitlin Crossett and Maike Holthuijzen together with Livia Donicova and Janel Roberge from the Center for Workforce Development and Diversity (CWDD), traveled to Shelburne Farms in Shelburne Vermont to demonstrate scientific methods to elementary students from area schools during Watershed Day on October 5, 2017.
Students learned “picking” protocol and observed macroinvertebrate samples under microscopes. They tallied their samples and as a group discussed their results, including why it is important, and what it means for water quality.
Livia explained “we did this activity four times throughout the day with four separate classes of 20-25 students in each class. It was extremely fun and rewarding!”
Watershed Day is a partnership between the Community Sailing Center, the Lake Champlain Basin Program, the ECHO Lake Aquarium and Science Center, Vermont EPSCoR, and the University of Vermont.