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EPA Region 7 Outdoor Classroom to Help Science Students Test Stream and Celebrate Water Monitoring Month

Release date: 09/26/2008

Contact Information: Kris Lancaster, 913-551-7557 or 816-719-6375 (cell phone for Sept. 29 & 30 only), lancaster.kris@epa.gov


Environmental News

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

(Kansas City, Kan., Sept. 26, 2008) - A team of EPA scientists will join about 20 students from Corinth Elementary School in Prairie Village, Kan., to test the water quality and examine the aquatic life in Brush Creek, commemorating Water Monitoring Month.

EPA will have instructional booths from 3:15 p.m. to 5 p.m., Tuesday, Sept. 30, at Schliffke Park along Brush Creek in Prairie Village. (See directions below.)

EPA scientists will teach students about water chemistry of the stream as well as its biology, looking for certain animal species such as fish and insects that indicate stream health.

Students will also learn about the stream's physical environment and habitats, and how various land uses and urban runoff can affect a watershed and the stream into which it drains. These lessons will be folded into the students' normal curriculum.

Water Monitoring Month runs from September 18 to October 18. During this time, people of all ages throughout the world have an opportunity to monitor the quality of their local watersheds and enter the results of their efforts into an international database.

Directions to Schliffke Park:

From Kansas City, Mo.: Take I-35 to 18th Street exit, south on 18th Street (which turns into Roe Ave.) to 63rd Street, east to Mission Road, and then south to Tomahawk Road, which is about 69th Street. (The Mission Road bridge is out at Shawnee Mission Parkway.) The parking lot for Schliffke Park is just north of the intersection on the east side of Mission Road. The boat ramp at the south end of the park provides access to the creek.