Testing the Water on Lake Martin

Lee-Scott Academy from Auburn, Alabama kicked off Camp ASCCA’s busy Spring of Environmental Science Camps by visiting camp March 21-23, 2007. This outstanding group of 40 sixth graders went through a thorough rotation of 8 different activities, all designed to help students learn more about their natural environment and be informed decision makers for the future. The activities were all “hands on” and in addition to being educational were fun and promoted teamwork and leadership.

As always, a favorite activity was the Living Streams program led by local Lake Watch volunteers. Students learned about water quality issues by collecting and assessing macroinvertebrates, or bugs, from a stream located on the camp grounds. Project Learning Tree, Map and GPS, Step Outside and Fish, Dunn Center, Group Elements, and Zip Line were also activities that have come to define the Camp ASCCA experience. Another popular activity, that was offered for the first time ever, was Lake Testing. Students were loaded onto the camp pontoon boat and Heather taught them how lake testing programs are used on Lake Martin. She also related to the students how valuable these tests are to those agencies that monitor water quality.

Each student then had the opportunity to do actual testing themselves. Divided into small groups of 3-4 students each, they all tested for water clarity, temperature, PH levels, and the most important indicator of water quality of all, dissolved oxygen levels. Results were then compared to other groups. Everyone performed well and most results compared favorably to other groups. We were all pleased that our end of the lake appears to be in excellent shape. We thoroughly enjoyed Lee-Scott with their outstanding students, teachers, and chaperons. We look forward to a return visit next year. Special thanks to Tom Collier for this blog and all the pictures here and on Flickr. Check them out!

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