On April 29th, 2015, the Center for Workforce Development and Diversity (CWDD) visited Saint Albans City School and the Hard'ack/Aldis Hill Reserve for a NEWRnet Water Quality Workshop in Saint Albans, VT. There were 57 seventh and eighth grade students with their science teacher Val Loucy. Students worked in small groups to collect field data, make observations on the biotic/abiotic habitat, and learn how scientists use technology to answer regional and local biogeochemical questions related to climate change and land use.

CWDD Director, Lindsay Wieland, discussed EPSCoR research with the students in the classroom, making connections between the local water quality issues in Saint Albans Bay with the research being done by NEWRnet scientists in the region. The presentation was followed by a lively discussion about careers in the sciences with NEWRnet researchers and CWDD staff.

NEWRnet graduate students, Matt Vaughan and Ryan Sleeper, demonstrated how they use high-frequency sensors in local streams to measure various indicators of water quality including dissolved oxygen, conductivity, fluorescent dissolved organic matter, temperature, and turbidity. CWDD Research Technician, Janel Roberge, and Project Manager, Laura Yayac, helped students conduct habitat assessments in the nearby stream.

Students are currently working on the Hard'ack/Aldis Hill recreational trails to measure erosion and help design a trail system that filters some of the pollutants that have a clear path to the lake. Keep up the great work!