Water and Energy Studies Program

The Water and Energy Studies Program was developed for interested students to participate in research and monitoring programs at watersheds in our community while at the same time providing our partnering agencies with quality data on creeks and rivers in the region. Students apply to be part of a team, and teams meet monthly for the entire school year. 

Our high school level teams (grades 9-12) specialize in water quality, in-stream habitat/riparian assessment, and well water testing. 

Our middle school (grades 7) teams participate in on-the ground riparian restoration and monitoring projects.

In 2025, the WELL Project began the Energy and Climate Team so that students have opportunities to analyze energy efficiency in buildings. 

Goals of Our Water Studies Program:

• Develop and implement long-term watershed monitoring programs in collaboration with the Watershed Councils and other local and state entities interested in protecting water resources in the community.

• Provide students with an in-depth understanding of the issues and current methodology for  collecting high quality data related to water resource management.

• Develop and maintain a state-of -the-art water lab to support the program.

• Produce high quality, reliable data using small teams of students that are engaged throughout their time at high school (and in some cases middle school).

• Tailor our programs to the needs of our partnering agencies.

• Serve as an outreach tool to private stakeholders to engage them in watershed protection and restoration work.