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We took a experiential field trip to the Clinton River to do water quality testing, learn more about our environment, and discover how many insects begin their life cycle. Our students were given cameras to document their day and our teachers helped take a few pictures too.  The captions are written Ms. Swartz's class.  We also would like to thank Michelle and Amanda from the Clinton River Watershed Council for their support, teaching, and for letting us borrow their waders. Chrysler helped us by purchasing our water testing kit for the field trip.  Lastly, our parents who volunteered to help us at each and every station as well as walking us to and from Dodge Park!  Here is our photo summary of what fun we had--We hope you enjoy it!  Thank you!!!!!!!!!!!!

Chrysler purchased and donated the water testing kit for our school!

Visit: http://www.crwc.org/ 
to find ways you can help our river and volunteer!

Preparing for our trip:

We are all planning our trip.  Ms. Amanda tells us what we will be doing with the
macroinvertebrates. (AKA bugs). -Lauren

Ms. Amanda was telling us about all the bugs we might see and find in the river. -Nicolette

Station1: Physical

We were checking the paper off.  Some questions it asked was if it was sunny, how many people in your group, what is the bank like, and stuff like that.  We did the data sheets ourselves! -Leslie

The group in the water was looking for bugs.  I was waiting on the bank for my turn and it was
so hard I was so excited I could hardly wait! -Chanel

My group was on the bridge making goofy faces after we finished our station.  It is Me, Robert, Selena, Jon, Jesse, Brianna, and Tia. -Adam

We dropped apples in the river and timed then to see the speed of the river's current.  We used apples because they were easy to see and they floated. -Jude

We are dropping apples and timing them.  It was fun and the kids were so happy. -Jaisen

The students are testing the temperature of the water and recording the climate.
We also took notes on the apple drop. -Angelique

The kids were looking how hot or cold it was in the water as part of a station. -Anthony

When we had to put the thermmeter in the water to see how hot or cold the water was. -Corniyah

Station 2: Stream Collecting

We had a difficult time putting on the waders.  But he looks like he's having a good time! -Jaisen

I was helping Arijona put on the waders to go into the water. -Selena

I am so excited to go into the water... it looks like it's going to be fun! -Lauren

We were in the lake finding bugs with nets.  Even the teachers were in the river!  It was so much fun! -Brianna

Some of the kids from Mrs. Stuehmer's class were trying to catch bugs in the deep parts. -Adam

When i first got in the water with the waders it felt tight on me. -Corniyah

I was waiting to get in the water and I finally did!  It was a long wait. -MaKiah

Some of our classmates in the water with ms. Mindy and Mrs. Moore finding the bugs.

Ms. Swartz is helping by pulling the waders off me. P.S. It's not my fault I fell in the river ! :) -Zoe

We were waiting to go into the river but we had a lot of fun anyways! -Brianna

I just got into the water and walked all the way out.  The water was moving very hard it almost blew me away when we stopped to take this picture! -Tia

The kids are walking in the water finding a new spot to catch bugs. -Traye

It was tricky to find bugs in the water, but so fun! -Jesse

Mrs. Stuehmer is being a goofball.  She better follow the rules so she doesn't get into trouble! -Leslie

I was just getting out of the water and then it was very mucky.  I got stuck and Ms. Swartz helped me out. -Tia

Little did Andrew know that behind him i just caught a toad! -Robert

They were watching the kids go into the water and waiting for their turn. -Jonathon

I was happy because I caught a big bug and I was in the water. -Selena

Kirsten, Kristina, and Hayden were admiring the bugs as Louie posed for the camera. -Kirsten and Kristina

No time for hide and seek!  Mrs. Stuehmer was having too much fun in the river. -Nicolette

Station 3: Sorting

The students are being very interested at what they are looking at.  They are discovering some small bugs. -Angelique

We caught lots of interesting bugs.  This one we collected is a Mayfly. -Jude

We were getting bugs from the water and putting them in this big container. -Jonathon

We were sorting bugs by one insect in each section.  There were big bugs and little bugs.  We had pipets to suck up the bugs and put them in the holes. -Carson

Three differnet classes were looking in the Clinton River water for bugs like blood worms. -Adam

Kirsten, Kristina, Jude, and Carson were looking at the crazy bugs!  -Kirsten

The kids are one nose away from touching the insects and are being engaged while sucking up the water to find their new friends.  The parents helped us tally the results. -Angelique and Ms. Swartz

The kids keep searching for more bugs in the tank. -Traye

We are like scientists looking at chemicals.  It is so much fun! -Lauren

Station 4: Chemistry

Gabe's turning into an 8-eyed monster. Laney thinks he's so funny.  -Jaisen

I was working with Jude's Mom when we got the water out of the river.  I loved looking at all the
different colors of the tests. -Corniyah

This is me doing a science experiment with the river water. -Traye

People from Ms. Swartz's class making funny faces after they realize the water was really cold! -Jack

You can see me and my friend Traye in the background as we are doing science!  The water was very clear. -Kieran

It was fun when we got to do experiments on the water and see what happens when we do it. -Anthony

We were looking at the test results and adding them to our data sheet.  We shared it with the Clinton River Watershed Council for their fall river monitoring results.  -Ms. Swartz

Just a bit more fun while we're here!

While we waited our turn we found a tree to explore and had a lot of fun while we waited for a pair of waders. -Ms.Swartz

It was really fun to climb this low branch. -Jesse

Chance had fun jumping off the roots.  It was a good day for everyone. Yay! -Zoe

Brooke and Mrs. Stuehmer and experts at the "selfies". Cute! -Kristina

I caught a toad behind the tree. -Robert

I was thinking about kissing it and turning into a frog.  -Robert

Adriana was making a funny face on a "selfie" with a smile that sums up
how much our day rocked! -Ms. Swartz

When we were walking back it took what seemed like forever.  Ms. Swartz discovered Conley
must have slipped in the mud--oops!  -Chanel

There was a teacher and parents at every station helping for waders, chemistry, sorting, and physical river.  It took a lot of work!  This is Ms. Amanda, Ms. Mindy, and Ms. Swartz by the river's bank.  -Carson

Kids, teachers, and parents kept looking at the leaves changing color.  We can't wait to go back in the spring!  -Leslie