September 12, 2019

Susquehanna University’s Freshwater Research Institute (FRI) was awarded a $5,000 grant from the American Geophysical Union to provide expanded environmental education programs for local students in kindergarten through 12th grade.

“This funding allows us to reach beyond our existing partnerships to a wider geographic area and in a more intentional way,” said Katherine Straub, professor and chair of the Department of Earth and Environmental Science and director of Susquehanna’s Center for Environmental Education and Research. “We will also be able to engage more community members, increase awareness and appreciation for the earth sciences and support our local teachers.”

As part of the grant, the FRI will create learning modules its staff and SU student researchers can deliver in area classrooms or in the field. The modules, which will also be used as outreach to all ages during community events, will focus on four main themes:

• What is a Watershed? Understand flow path mapping across the landscape and the value of trees for capturing sediment and nutrients.
• Water Quality and Biomonitoring: What can aquatic insects tell us about a healthy ecosystem?
• Fish Grow in Forests: How do the plants in a watershed influence what lives in the stream?
• Community Engagement: How to be a steward in your watershed.

Programming could be available as early as this month.