What started out as a hands-on, all-engaging science research project for Vinalhaven students has ended up attracting the attention of the Maine Department of Environmental Protection (DEP).
As a result of their December presentation on “The State of Vinalhaven’s Watershed,” freshman and sophomore science students from the island’s high school have been invited to share their study at the MainE Stream Summit 2004 to be held April 7 at the University of Maine Hutchinson Center in Belfast.
Organized by the Maine DEP, the University of Maine, the Senator George Mitchell Center, Bowdoin College, and the Soil & Water Conservation Districts of Kennebec, Knox-Lincoln and Waldo Counties, the conference is intended to “support science and stewardship of Maine’s streams and rivers.” The Vinalhaven students will share their water quality studies and GIS (Global Information System) mapping of their island’s watershed.
Science teacher Jennifer Clifford explained that “a DEP representative had read about our student’s research in an issue of Working Waterfront. He felt our presentation would fit nicely with their focus on biology and stewardship.” Clifford added, “It will be a day of workshops on monitoring and research with other citizen and school groups. Our students will have the opportunity to attend several workshops along with presenting Vinalhaven’s water quality issues.”