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 Adventure Strives to Teach Students their Role in Making the Community a Better Place
The Candoc Watershed Adventure was a student-initiated project conducted by approximately 50 fourth and fifth graders from John Humbird, Northeast, South Penn, and West Side Elementary Schools who are participants in Allegany County’s 21st Century Afterschool Program.
These junior scientists began their adventure by studying the water cycle and watersheds as well as maps of their community and surrounding area. After hearing an interpretive program from personnel from the National Park Service, students took a field trip on the C&O Canal to collect data on the health condition of the park and nearby watershed. They collected and analyzed data on animals and habitats as well as information on human activities that have an adverse affect on the health of the watershed.
Students met in cooperative groups throughout the adventure and made presentations to formulate an action plan that would improve the conditions of the watershed. Their first task was to conduct informative classes for younger students on how to reduce, reuse, and recycle. The also made posters and displayed information they had collected on their field research throughout their respective schools.
The group finally revisited the Candoc area on April 7, 2010, to conduct the second annual Trash Bash. The Candoc Watershed Adventure is a joint effort between the Maryland Park Service, the National Park Service, and the 21st Century Afterschool Program that strives to teach students their roles and responsibility in making their community a better place to live.
Picture Caption: 21st Century Grant Afterschool Program “Science Kids” from John Humbird, South Penn, Northeast, and West Side Elementary Schools conducted a Trash Bash in the Candoc area of the C&O Canal as part of their work on the Potomac River Project. Fourth and fifth grade students study the watershed of the Potomac and then design and implement ways to improve the quality of the water in the watershed. In addition to the Trash Bash, students also reduce electrical consumption, conserve water, and encourage all to reduce, reuse and recycle.
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