FLOC’s Leaders in the Making program participated in the Chesapeake Bay Foundation Potomac River Program on November 11, 2008. LITM students had the opportunity to spend the day aboard the Susquehanna, CBF’s 42-foot work boat.  During the day, students got an on-the-water view of the nation’s capital and its connection to the Chesapeake Bay watershed. They learned how the aquatic worlds of the Anacostia and Potomac Rivers are intimately linked to daily city life. Students studied maps of the Chesapeake Bay area and learned how their communities impact the Bay.

They also learned about water quality and had the opportunity to test the water quality of the Anacostia and Potomac Rivers. After testing turbidity, concentrations of nitrates and phosphates (levels of nutrient pollution), dissolved oxygen, temperature, salinity and pH, students learned how each of these components affects the overall water quality of the rivers. Further, they had the opportunity to discover what types of life the rivers support. They used a trawl net to catch fish and bryozoans and then participated in a hands-on learning activity with this river life. They culminated their learning adventure on the rivers with each student taking a turn driving the boat back to the dock.

Overall, the students thoroughly enjoyed their time on the river. They will continue to build on the knowledge gained during the boat trip as they explore other environmental themes throughout the LITM year.