In STEM, the 2/3 class is continuing their study of how water pollution affects the Lake Champlain Basin. We looked at various sources of pollution in the area, explored how pollution affects an aquatic ecosystem, and tested samples from the McCabe Brook behind the school to identify levels of phosphorus, nitrates, turbidity, and dissolved oxygen in the stream (this was especially interesting since the stream is a part of our watershed and leads to Lake Champlain!). We then explored how wetlands act as natural water filters to help filter out pollutants and nutrients as water flows into the lake. The class worked in teams to collect materials found in a wetland, such as roots, soil, grass, plants, and gravel, and they designed and built their own water filter. Each group ended up building 3 different models, changing their design as they learned what worked and what didn’t. Overall the “wetland” water filters were a success, and our dirty water ended up being very clear!  The class has decided that they want to use a video and a skit to share what they’ve learned at the end of this project, and to educate the community on how to reduce water pollution in our watershed, so we’re very excited to get started!

  Building our wetland water filters

  

Collecting materials for our water filters