Denver, CO (PRWEB) September 17, 2013
Tomorrow, Denver area students will gather at Confluence Park to participate in a global water quality testing event as part of Denver’s sixth annual World Water Monitoring Challenge.
Students from Polaris at Ebert Elementary School, Noel Community Arts School, Hallett Elementary and Denver School for Science and Technology will gain first-hand experience with water quality monitoring assessments while conducting a basic “checkup” of the confluence of the Platte and Cherry Creek rivers. The goal of this international event is to promote environmental stewardship by teaching students about their local water resources and empower them to take ownership in protecting our environment. At the conclusion of the event, students will share the results of the water quality tests in a global database hosted by the Water Environment Federation.
During the event, students will test water of the South Platte River for pH, turbidity, temperature, and dissolved oxygen. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and Trout Unlimited will teach students how to identify aquatic insects, which are indicators for ecosystem health. Students will also learn about local stormwater runoff from an interactive role-playing game facilitated by Earth Force and Greenway Foundation’s South Platte River Environmental Education program (SPREE). The event will take place between 9 a.m. and 12 p.m. at Confluence Park.
Denver’s World Water Monitoring Challenge is hosted by The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, CH2M HILL, Denver Public Works, and Earth Force, with additional help from Trout Unlimited, Greenway Foundation’s SPREE program, and Water For People. Staff members from the EPA and CH2M HILL will volunteer to facilitate various hands-on activities related to water quality.