LAWRENCEVILLE, Ill. (WTWO/WAWV) — Testing the water’s oxygen levels and more, River Day at Hutsonville High School has been an important learning experience for years. Learn how one teacher inspired generations to learn more about nature.
Two local high schools are taking their students outside the classroom for some hands-on learning and testing the Embarras River.
Hutsonville High School biology students and Red Hill High School wildlife classes joined together Thursday to test the Embarras River in Lawrenceville, Illinois. Students rotate through five different parameters: habitat assessment, what organisms can live, water chemistry, flow rate, which is the amount of nutrients the water has, and what insects live in each parameter tells the students what the water quality is.
“There’s just so many different things in it and it’s just fun for everybody,” said Brynn Griffin, a senior at Hutsonville High School.
This 20-year-long effort was established by David Abendroth, a high school teacher at Hutsonville. All of the materials the students used during river day are owned by Abendroth.
He said he wants them to learn real procedures.
“Students remember this day more than anything I tell them in the classroom. So, they get out, they get wet, they learn real science procedures. The protocols are all the same. Real sciences do this, so that’s why we’re here,” said Abendroth.
“I would say doing more hands-on is the better way to learn than sitting in a classroom,” said Griffin.
Here’s a little fun fact. Students found a Dobsonfly larvae or hellgrammites and they are a clean water indicator.
Abendroth said this day would not be possible without sponsors and donations. To learn how you can donate, contact David Abendroth at david.abendroth@hutsonvilletigers.net.
