Looking for Macroinvertebrates

Led by Cookie Barker, summer school students from SLCS engaged in a mini-lesson on the stream looking for macroinvertebrates and testing the water quality as part of their introduction to watershed studies.

The community was then introduced to macroinvertebrates at the SLA Craft Fair through an educational display.

Cookie worked with Mrs. Silvernail, Mrs. Gillings, and the 6th grade students at SLCS to help them investigate the local aquatic ecosystems. In the fall they conducted stream studies identifying biological, chemical, and physical parameters. Students collect macroinvertebrates, identify them and record the diversity of taxonomic groups. They also determine the pH, temperature, salinity, and dissolved oxygen of the stream as well as the flow rate and stream bank composition. In the classroom they will continue student designed investigations to explore some topics in further detail.

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A woman and two girls examine something through a microscope at an outdoor event by a lake, with tents and other people in the background.
A young boy wading in a shallow creek, holding a butterfly net, surrounded by trees and bushes.
Three children wading in a shallow river surrounded by greenery, one holding a fishing net while the other two look at something in their hands.
A group of children and an adult sitting at a wooden picnic table under a shelter outdoors, participating in a science activity with safety goggles, lab equipment, and notes, surrounded by trees.
A young girl looking through a microscope at an outdoor picnic table under a pavilion, surrounded by trees, with various scientific tools and supplies on the table.