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Students learn science by doing

Friday, April 24, 2009

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Randy Conat
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FLINT (WJRT) -- (04/23/09) -- Scientists will have a better idea about the condition of the Flint River, thanks to dozens of school children.

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Groups of the students conducted all kinds of experiments today. Some eighth graders were hanging around the footbridge at the Mott Golf Course, but they weren't skipping school. They were measuring the temperature of the Flint River.

"We're doing Celsius. We're getting an 8 (degrees) and an average 7 (degrees)," explained St. John Vianney student Kai Washington.

General Motors sponsored the program to increase interest in environmental issues. This group from St. John Vianney Catholic School was one of 22 in Mid-Michigan analyzing water samples.

Reporter: Would you rather be out here doing science experiments or sitting in a classroom studying science?

Jackie Espinoza: Definitely out here. I like doing things more hands on.

One of their experiments involved measuring nitrate levels. Another looked at phosphate levels. They dug into the river bottom and found some larvae and microscopic critters. All this experimenting has made the kids more interested in science.

"When I was little I wanted to be a scientist. I used to do all this stuff. I wanted to see what was in mud. I love science," student Zakory Dippold said.

"It's real interesting because of how young we are. We're helping real scientists," added student Josee Muldrew.

She's right. The information gathered here will be passed along to environmental scientists. "We're actually helping the environment and Flint River like real scientists," Zakory said

Reporter: Might you consider a career in science?

Jackie: I would. I like it a lot. I like being here and learning about different things.

By the way, their testing showed nitrate levels in the river were at healthy levels.