The River Field Studies Network has announced the culmination of the 2024 River Field Scholar Program cohort’s work with the release of 11 new open-source lessons on the QUBES platform. These lessons, presented during a recent winter gathering, represent a significant contribution to field-based science education. The scholars, who developed these materials, have crafted a diverse set of resources stemming from their experiences, and now they are graduating from the program as alumni, ready to share their knowledge with educators worldwide.
From Klamath River to Classroom: A Collaborative Journey
The 2024 cohort’s journey began with a formative trip to the Klamath River, where they initially conceived and workshopped their lesson ideas . Following this, the scholars returned to their home institutions, where they further developed and tested these lessons with students . This process included multiple rounds of feedback and mentoring from the leadership team and previous scholars, ensuring the lessons were not only innovative but also practical and pedagogically sound . The final presentations offered a glimpse into each lesson’s focus, with the full materials available on the QUBES website .
A Diverse Array of Field-Based Learning Experiences
The presented lessons cover a broad spectrum of topics, reflecting the interdisciplinary nature of river science. The lessons emphasize hands-on, field-based activities designed to engage students in the natural world . Here’s a look at the range of lessons:
- Crayfish Ecology: Cheyenne Olson’s lesson focuses on measuring crayfish, habitat selection, and use, guiding students through formulating and testing hypotheses about the relationship between habitat features and crayfish populations . Students collect and analyze data on water quality, substrate, vegetation, and crayfish populations, applying the scientific method to species identification, measurement, and population assessment . The lesson also emphasizes reflecting on habitat changes and their impact on crayfish .
- Fish Sampling and River Impairment: Erin Tracy’s lesson investigates the impacts of river impairment through fish sampling using seine nets . Students learn aquatic ecology and fish sampling skills, including how to identify and handle fish in the field . They collect data from impaired and non-impaired streams, analyze fish communities, and explore the effects of human actions on river ecosystems .
- Hydrology Scavenger Hunt: John Keyantash created a stream-side lesson designed to identify hydrological features in various settings . The lesson is adaptable for different student levels and encourages students to identify features in the field, understand what those features represent, and develop observational skills . The “scavenger hunt” includes a glossary of features and a post-trip reflection on the mental health benefits of time spent outdoors .
- Odonata Communities and Hydrogeomorphology: Erasme Uyizeye’s lesson explores the influence of hydrogeomorphology on Odonata (dragonfly and damselfly) communities . Students develop observation skills, identify different Odonate groups at the family level, and understand the relationship between these groups and hydrogeomorphological features . The lesson encourages reflection on initial hypotheses and promotes engagement in the field .
- Beaver Restoration: Karen Mager’s lesson focuses on attracting and restoring beavers, emphasizing their role as ecosystem engineers . Students begin with observing beaver activity and learning to identify signs of beaver presence, then design a field survey to test hypotheses about beaver vegetation preferences . The goal is to connect field observations to an understanding of how beavers shape ecosystems .
- Collaborative River Mapping: Thien-Kim Bui and Sarah Kelly’s lesson uses collaborative mapping to introduce students to river management and how different relationships shape river flows . Students are placed in different roles and create field maps, using them to discuss shared sites of interest and conflict. The exercise develops skills in deliberation and policy-making while fostering an understanding of how spatial understanding can inform policy .
- Urbanization and Macroinvertebrates: Anna Meza Salazar’s lesson focuses on the impact of urbanization on macroinvertebrate communities . Students visit contrasting sites and collect macroinvertebrates, then learn how to identify functional feeding groups and analyze the data to understand how urbanization alters ecosystem function .
- Soil Formation: Dayna Quick’s lesson explores soil formation and variation along stream channels . Students learn about soil forming factors and physical soil characteristics, taking samples from different locations along the stream. The lesson aims to connect stream processes to soil formation and emphasizes how streams influence soil-forming factors .
- Public Engagement in River-Based Courses: Jamie March’s lesson champions the incorporation of public engagement activities into river science courses . The lesson includes readings, personal reflection, and the development of a hypothetical engagement activity . The project is designed to emphasize the mutual benefit of public engagement, and the importance of two way communication between scientists and the public .
- River Connectivity Across Space and Time: Suzanne Walther’s lesson explores river connectivity across space and time, using the San Diego River as a case study . Students practice observational skills, learn new field methods, and interpret data within a broader historical context . The lesson combines an understanding of fluvial processes with human history, fostering a sense of connection to place .
- Vegetation Surveys by Drawing: Alan Waxman’s lesson uses drawing to explore different ways of categorizing vegetation . Students create ideographic images in situ, collect leaves, develop symbols, and then assess the locations of the plants. The lesson critiques standard scientific categories and highlights the co-creation of knowledge as a team .
Key Themes and Takeaways
Several key themes emerged from the presentations. A strong emphasis was placed on:
- Field-Based Learning: The lessons all highlight the importance of hands-on, field-based learning, encouraging students to directly engage with natural environments .
- Data Analysis: Many of the lessons incorporate data collection and analysis, developing students’ skills in interpreting information .
- Interdisciplinary Approaches: The lessons showcase an interdisciplinary approach to river science, incorporating elements of ecology, hydrology, geomorphology, social sciences, and cultural studies .
- Public Engagement: Several lessons emphasize the importance of public engagement with science, underscoring the value of connecting with local communities and sharing knowledge .
- Adaptability: The lessons are designed to be flexible and adaptable to various settings and student levels .
A Gift to the Education Community
The 2024 River Field Studies Network scholars have made a lasting contribution to open-source freshwater STEM education. Their newly developed QUBES lessons, are a valuable resource for educators and students worldwide. These lessons are not only educational but also transformative, fostering a deeper understanding and appreciation of river systems and the importance of their conservation . As the scholars transition into alumni, they have left behind a powerful legacy of innovation and collaboration, ready to be taken up by a new generation of river scientists and educators . The network invites educators to visit their website and download these invaluable resources.