Learning From The Watershed

Morgan Academy students learned how stream monitoring can increase
scientific understanding of ecosystem health and how observations
from the field can become useful environmental data.

The program also introduced students to Water Reporter, a social
sharing application for watersheds developed by Chesapeake Commons.

Students returned three more times during the year to collect
additional monitoring data. They also used Water Reporter to document
conditions along Town Run in and around Shepherdstown and for science
journaling on the Morgan Academy campus.

Part Of Safe Water Harpers Ferry

The project formed part of Safe Water Harpers Ferry, a network of
nonprofits, agencies, and businesses working to restore and protect
Elks Run, the drinking water supply for Harpers Ferry and Bolivar.

The education program gave students an opportunity to participate
directly in that larger watershed effort while developing practical
science skills.

How The Partnership Began

The partnership began when Morgan Academy teacher Sara Carly-Pena
brought a group of students to a stakeholder meeting attended by
agencies and nonprofit organizations working to identify projects
that could help protect the Harpers Ferry drinking water supply
through restoration of Elks Run.

By the end of the half-day meeting, the students had decided that
they wanted to participate.

Sara Carly-Pena and Bill Howard, executive director of
The Downstream Project, then developed a project that supported
monitoring of Elks Run while also contributing to Morgan Academy’s
science education goals.