Lake Champlain Mercury Community Science Program

This program, aimed at high school classrooms, uses inquiry-based learning modules to understand mercury contamination in the Lake Champlain watershed. In these modules, students are presented with current, regional information on mercury science, and given the tools to collect and interpret scientific data and to ask relevant and meaningful questions about mercury accumulation in the region. Data from the project will be included in the Dragonfly Mercury Project database, a national monitoring network that involves community scientists in the collection of dragonfly larvae for mercury analysis. Limited space available! Stipends available for year 1 and 2.
 
Modules consist of:
·       a classroom presentation about mercury science, tailored to the Lake Champlain region (Sept/Oct).
·       a visit to a local tributary to collect dragonfly larvae and measure basic water quality parameters (Sept/Oct)
·       Shipment of samples to Dartmouth for mercury analysis; students are provided with data, and given access to the nationwide DMP databases, and guided to ask meaningful questions about mercury in the region, and to use real data to address these questions
·       Presentation of projects developed by students at a poster symposium later in the school year.
 
Program specifics: The program will enroll 10 teachers from the Lake Champlain region in a teacher training workshop to incorporate modules in their classrooms. Enrollment in the program includes:
·       a 2-day training workshop at Dartmouth on June 26-27, 2023 (room and board will be provided)
·       a $100 stipend per year for years 1 and 2
·       On-line and in-person support throughout the school year for in-class presentations, sample collection and student research projects
·       Sampling supplies and shipping for mercury analysis
·       Feedback and 1-day refresher workshop in June 2024
1.Name:
2.Email Address:
3.School:
4.Grade and subject of the class the Lake Champlain Mercury Community Science Program would be taught in:
5.Class start and end dates:
6.How many years have you taught this class?
7.Is the class taught by a team of teachers?
8.If yes, will the other teachers take part in the Lake Champlain Mercury Community Science Program, including attending the workshop on June 26th? And if so, what are their names?
9.Do you teach more than one class section of this subject per year? If so, how many sections? Approximately how many students are enrolled in each section?
10.Have you currently or previously incorporated any of the Lake Champlain Sea Grant Watershed Alliance’s programs in your class? If so, which programs?