TOLEDO, Nov. 15, 2023: Students from schools across northwest Ohio who collected and tested water samples this fall assembled Friday for the Student Watershed Watch Summit at the Toledo Zoo.
This was the 34th year for Student Watershed Watch, which has a long history of educating students about the importance of water quality and encouraging environmental stewardship.
Over several weeks in September and October, more than 20 teachers and 700 students visited area waterways to collect samples and measure dissolved oxygen, acidity, turbidity, aquatic macroinvertebrates, and other parameters that provide insight into water quality. At the summit, classrooms shared and discussed the data they collected, met with professionals working in environmental fields, and participated in fun activities, including a scavenger hunt around the zoo.
Schools participating in this year’s summit included Beverly Elementary, Clay High School, Lake High School, Northview High School, Otsego Junior High School, Ottawa Hills Elementary, Ottawa River Elementary, Sylvania Southview High School, and Wildwood Environmental Academy.
Students earned awards for the most creative and informative presentations and displays. This year’s winners include:
Grades 5-8
- Best Overall Presentation: Ottawa Hills Elementary
- Most Creative Presentation: Ottawa Hills Elementary
- Most Informative Presentation: Beverly Elementary School
- Best Use of Musical Media: Otsego Junior High School
Grades 9-12
- Best Overall Presentation: Sylvania Northview
- Most Creative Presentation: Lake High School 10th Grade
- Most Informative Presentation: Wildwood Environmental Academy
- Best Overall Display: Sylvania Northview High School
- Most Informative Display: Lake High School 9th Grade
- Most Creative Display: Sylvania Southview High School
Student Watershed Watch has a long record of participation among teachers and environmental professionals, as well as sponsors who provide essential support, including the Lucas County Engineer’s Office, General Motors, the City of Toledo, the Toledo Zoo, The Andersons, and the Mannik & Smith Group.
Learn more about Student Watershed Watch at https://tmacog.org/water/student-watershed-watch
EDITOR’S NOTE: TMACOG is a non-partisan regional planning partnership made up of voluntary members in northwest Ohio and southeast Michigan. TMACOG members work together on transportation, water quality, and other economic development endeavors that affect quality of life for everyone in our region. For more information, go to www.tmacog.org.