Last year, Reinstein Woods received a federal grant from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration to expand the Day in the Life of the Buffalo River program to include the larger Niagara River/Lake Erie Watershed. The grant allowed us to provide extensive teacher training, classroom learning, and meaningful watershed education experiences for students.

The expanded program uses Global Learning and Observations to Benefit the Environment (GLOBE) protocols, a set of standardized water quality measurement protocols that allow educators and students to connect with others and compare data across the world.

The Holland High School 12th graders have done just that! They collected water quality data and prepared a report comparing the water quality in Western New York to water data collected by peers in Kenya. They plan to present their findings at a science symposium.

Other students got creative in educating others about water quality issues. Students from Stella Niagara, led by teachers Margaret Feuerman and former Reinstein intern Julia Kostin, created public service announcements and “wanted” posters to alert their community to the threat of invasive species in the Niagara River.

And after collecting water quality data from nearby Gill Creek, Niagara Falls High School students created video and print public service announcements warning of the dangers of water pollution.