Citizen Science Water Quality Schools
Building on interest generated through outdoor learning sessions led by Cotswolds National Landscape, passionate pupils have stepped up to help monitor pollution levels in their local rivers and tributaries. Earthwatch and Cotswolds National Landscape staff provided initial training to small groups of passionate pupils and teachers, along with inspirational whole-school assemblies, enabling them to become Citizen Science Water Quality Schools. The schools regularly test their local rivers and send the data to Earthwatch, helping to strengthen the ECP’s aim of achieving healthier rivers.
Objectives
The ambition is to empower children to take positive actions to help the environment and help them to understand that by working alongside fellow citizen scientists their small actions can have greater, positive impacts. The hope is that a ripple effect is created, whereby children inspire their friends and families to also become educated and engaged, thus becoming part of the solution too.
Outcomes
- Three primary and one secondary Citizen Science Water Quality Schools established.
- 17 data sets collected so far.
- Attractive classroom display materials created and distributed amongst schools to help children identify any seasonal fluctuations in water quality.
- Cross-curricular activities linked to water quality, including Science, English, Geography & Maths.
Project highlights
The level of engagement by the pupils has been inspiring, with some school groups writing persuasive letters to their local MPs calling for urgent action on the polluted state of our rivers. The pupils’ involvement has encouraged family members to sign up to become citizen scientists themselves.
Lessons learnt
Finding time in the schools’ busy timetables to get down to the local stretches of river can be an issue, as can adverse weather conditions. Where groups are unable to test the water on a monthly basis, we encourage them to partake in the twice-yearly Great UK WaterBlitz.
Future plans
We envision that the schools will continue to test their local stretches of river for the foreseeable future, and hope pupils will continue to do so beyond their school days into adulthood. We also aim to connect with other schools that regularly test their local stretches of river in the South West, and for the experiences to be shared.
Funding
Total cost: £5,000 p.a.*
Funded by Thames Water.
*This estimate does not take into account the substantial amount of time that our partners at Cotwolds National Landscape put into building relationships with partners and stakeholders to enable successful session delivery.
