Riparian Area Integrated Learning (RAIL) Project Database: Aquatic Macroinvertebrates Citizen Science Monitoring with Immediate Feedback of Results of a Stream Ecosystem
Aquatic macroinvertebrates are such an interesting way to bring a hands-on inquiry-based citizen science activity into the hands of people by letting them sample and then gain insight into concepts and processes that occur within the mysterious world of a stream ecosystem. I, as the creator of the RAIL Project have been using it for the past 16 years to teach middle school aged students about ecology and the importance of the water around them while at the same time, they have been able to contribute authentic data to scientists in the field of stream ecology. As an educator, it is this authentic piece that makes the biggest impact. For this workshop, participants will get an introduction to aquatic macroinvertebrates and how they are used to calculate ecosystem attributes and water quality index scores. Next participants will sample a local lotic system and utilize the RAIL Project interactive database to see how easy it is to 1) identify their sample 2) upload their findings and 3) get an immediate report on both water quality and ecosystem attributes. Each participant will leave the workshop with access to use this database, the online supplemental materials, and the award-winning RAIL Project K-12 curriculum to share with area schools near them. Keith Piccard and Peter Riemersma, Grand Valley State University
For our complete presentation please go to HERE.