Attention 4-12 grade teachers throughout the state (in ALL COUNTIES!) who would like an opportunity to engage your students with citizen science and watershed stewardship! 4-H Alabama Water Watch is happy to announce the continuation and expansion of the Exploring Pathogen Pollution in Our Waters Project, which is supported by the National Oceanographic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Bays and Watershed Education Training (BWET) Program.
Teachers can apply for a limited number of spots to participate in the required Professional Development Training that will prepare them to conduct bacteriological monitoring and other project activities with their students during the 2024-2025 school year. Review the description below of the Professional Development Training and how teachers implement the project with their students to decide if this project is a good fit for your classroom.
Professional Development Training Schedule (tentative)
PD Training includes three major online and in-person components, all of which must be completed to participate in the project.
Project Implementation
Participating teachers commit to taking students to conduct bacteriological monitoring at a local waterbody at least four times during the school year. This project will provide monitoring materials and some assistance with travel costs to support this effort. Participating school groups will enter their water data into the AWW database. The students will learn how to use the online AWW Water Data Tools to complete basic data analysis and interpretation of their data for a final project that they will share with other students, community leaders, and organizations working in water quality.
Additionally, teachers will guide students as they use what they learn in the classroom and the field to develop final projects in the form of a poster, presentation, or video through which they share their data findings and and what they mean for local water quality. There are also funds to support on the ground stewardship actions led by students.
Commitment of Participating Educators
- Complete the project application by March 19, 2024
Selected educators must complete the following to participate:
- Register for professional development workshop in 4-H Online
- Fill out AU Vendor Voucher (to process stipend)
- Complete two day Professional Development Workshop on June 25-26, 2024 in Columbiana, AL at the 4-H Center
- Submit a brief Project Plan that outlines how you will do the project during the 2024-2025 school year
Project Completion Requirements (to receive full stipend)
- In addition to the items listed above:
- Enroll students in 4-H Online
- Implement all Core Lessons with students
- Engage students in at least four bacteriological monitoring events
- Submit water data to AWW database
- Design and implement watershed stewardship activity with students
- Submit student evaluations
Learn More
APPLICATIONS ARE NOW BEING ACCEPTED FOR THE 2024-2025 SCHOOL YEAR!! Applications will be open through March 19, 2024.
Feel free to contact AWW for more information by emailing awwprog@auburn.edu or calling 334-844-4785. You can also sign up to receive the AWWareness Email Newsletter, which includes periodic project updates and other 4-H AWW training opportunities.