PASCO and the Rivers Project

We are proud to be associated with the "Rivers Project." We have participated in several summer training programs across the U.S. demonstrating the advantages of electronic data collection in conducting water studies using a variety of probeware.

What is the Rivers Project?

According to project director Dr. Robert Williams of Southern Illinois University, the mission of the Rivers Project is "increasing the scientific literacy of high school students through water study."

The Rivers Project began in February 1990 as a pilot program involving eight high schools along the Mississippi and lower Illinois River. Through teacher training, the Rivers Project has grown to include schools in the majority of the states and provinces across the United States and Canada. With scientific literacy as the ultimate goal, students collect and analyze water samples from various test sites. The data collected are sent via the Internet to the Rivers Project.

Data Collection

The project teaches participants various methods of data collection. The Internet and the World Wide Web link participating schools, support sites and the project headquarters while providing a technological framework for the various activities. Rivers study has been extended to include historical, social and/or economic implications of river conditions, thus involving students from classes across the curricular areas of science, mathematics, social studies and language arts.


Data Usage

In addition to schools that actively collect data and others that view it as part of their curriculum, data have been transmitted to various state agencies such as the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency and the Environmental Management Technical Center (a division of the U.S. Geological Survey) in Onalaska, Wisc. Rivers Project recognition has resulted in numerous awards. At the same time, many project teachers have been recognized for their own efforts surrounding the river.

To read more about the Rivers Project, go to: www.siue.edu/OSME/river/.