Investigating and Mitigating Water Quality Issues in Yancey County

Purpose: Water is life. Healthy streams and rivers provide essential wildlife habitat, clean drinking water for local populations, and myriad opportunities for recreation. The purpose of the Mountains to Sea Water Quality CBL project at Mountain Heritage High School in Yancey County, NC is to investigate local water quality issues and partner with community stakeholders to address these issues. Students in Honors Marine Biology, Spring 2020 designed projects that aim to improve local water quality for wildlife and human populations. These projects address several objectives under Next Generation Science Standard HS-ESS3, Earth and Human Activity.

Engage:

Part 1: The Mountains to Sea CBL project kickoff involved students mapping the paths of local rivers to the ocean. Students first investigated the source of the river and the community of plants and animals present at the headwaters. They then mapped the path of the river, noting when the river joined other bodies of water - rivers, lakes, reservoirs. They labeled cities/bridges/dams along the route. They researched the industrial, commercial, residential, and recreational impacts on the river as it flowed toward the ocean. Finally, they examined the communities at the mouth of the river and reflected on the diversity of pollutants the water had been exposed to along the entirety of its route.

Part 2: With impacts on water quality in mind, individual students brainstormed lists of water quality issues that they were most concerned about. They then prioritized their top 2 concerns and did a browsing "line dance" to find others with common interests. Students organized themselves into groups of 3-4 and determined the water quality issue that their group would investigate. Each group came up with as many questions as they could about this issue, specifically related to effects on water quality in Yancey County. Finally, they narrowed their list to their one question that they would investigate and act upon. This was a powerful learning experience, as it was learner owned with students having both choice and voice.

Investigate:

Several professionals with water quality related jobs, were invited to serve on a discussion panel at Mountain Heritage High School in early February. As a part of the panel, these individuals talked to the students about what they felt were the most important water related issues in Yancey County. The students had the opportunity to ask questions of the panel and seek advice in the creation of practical and actionable solutions to these issues. This panel discussion was a powerful learning experience as it was community connected. In fact, several of these professionals agreed to serve as mentors for the student groups. After this session, student groups completed Milestone #1 which was designed to help student groups investigate their water quality issue in more depth so they could design a practical solution. It also helped them make sure they were on track for establishing a mentor, making sure their mentor had filled out the proper paperwork, and setting up a meeting with their mentor.

Act:

After the Investigate phase of the Mountains to Sea CBL project, all student groups had identified the water quality improvement project they were planning to implement and had acquired a community mentor. The Act phase of the project was put on hold until (hopefully) the 2020-21 school year. The week that most groups had scheduled their first meeting with their mentors, was the week we were sent home for distance learning due to Covid-19. Groups were beginning to complete Milestone #2, which was designed to help student groups organize and assign tasks, and create a timeline for completion of these tasks. It also spelled out the requirements for the website that each group would create to present the story of their water quality improvement project. We had also begun to talk about a community and school group day, in which each group would present their project to the local community and/or elementary school children. We hope that the student groups (who have not left for college) will continue their water quality improvement projects via the MHHS Eco-club and/or during SMART lunch during school year 2020-21.

Individual Student Group Project Ideas: