Students in Upper Dublin High School’s Environmental Science Program have been conducting in-depth water quality studies at Robbins Park and on the Schuylkill River, writes The Reporter.
Guided by science teacher Chris Smith, students examined water samples for key indicators. They looked for dissolved oxygen, nitrates, phosphates, and turbidity, all contributing to their hands-on learning about aquatic ecology and pollution.
The annual water study included a kayaking trip along the Schuylkill on October 8. Students collected macroinvertebrates to calculate the Biotic Index—a measure of ecological health based on organism diversity. The river’s history, including its transformation following the Clean Water Act of 1972, provided students with valuable context on human impacts on water quality.
Student Sophia Sirianni highlighted the value of these hands-on experiences. “This form of experimental learning has significantly enhanced my understanding and appreciation for the depth of this course,” she said. “I feel lucky to be introduced to a course that teaches us skills that apply to real life: learning a concept and then using skills-based learning for full comprehension.”
This year, the curriculum expanded with a collaboration with Dr. Jon Hawkings, a biogeochemist at the University of Pennsylvania. Smith connected with Hawkings to offer students insight into water and climate science careers.
Smith plans to continue sharing water samples with Hawkings’ lab, enriching his students’ real-world learning and inspiring potential future scientists.
Read more about Upper Dublin High School’s Environmental Science Program at The Reporter.
