Are you an educator, or do you know of an educator who would like to engage your students with citizen science and watershed stewardship? After a one year postponement, we are excited to announce that we are currently recruiting educators from coastal counties to help us pilot the new 4-H AWW Project “Exploring Pathogen Pollution in Our Waters.”
This project is supported by a grant from the National Oceanographic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Bays and Watershed Education Training (BWET) Program. Selected educators will complete Professional Development that will prepare them to confidently implement the project with their students.
Professional Development Schedule
Project Kick-Off Zoom
Online Bacteriological Monitoring Course Opens (3-hour self-paced course)
Wednesday, June 2nd from 10am-12pm
Online Course Closes on June 7th
Bacteriological Monitoring Zoom Session
Tuesday, June 8th from 9am – 12pm
*In-Person Field Day at Weeks Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve in Fairhope, AL
Friday, June 11th from 9am – 5pm
*In-person programming will follow guidelines set forth by Auburn University and the Alabama Cooperative Extension System regarding social distancing and safety with COVID-19.
During the 2021-2022 school year, participating schools will receive the materials and support needed to engage students in coastal counties in meaningful educational experiences focused on understanding, detecting, and mitigating pathogen pollution in local waters.
Throughout the project, educators and students will become certified Alabama Water Watch Bacteriological Monitors who will collect and analyze bacteriological water data from their local watersheds. Educators and students will be supported as they implement an on-the-ground stewardship project related to pathogen pollution.
Educators who complete project requirements will receive a stipend of $400, and continuing education credits.
Check out our Project Packet above to find detailed descriptions of each aspect of the project including:
- AWW and 4-H AWW Programs
- Project Goals, Objectives, and Importance
- Project Curriculum
- Benefits to Educators
- Commitment of Participating Educators
- How to Apply
The deadline to apply is May 7, 2021.
Don’t miss out, and please help us spread the word to other educators in the project area!
Contact awwprog@auburn.edu or 334-844-4785 with any questions.