The Iowa Rivers Project
The goal of the Iowa Rivers Project is to involve secondary students in
an interdisciplinary study of a local river or stream in a way such that
they become interested in local environmental issues and problem solving.
The Iowa Rivers Project involves teachers from all disciplines of the typical
secondary (grades 6-12) school curriculum in a study that centers on a local
river or stream. Teachers collaborate in planning and facilitating the study,
sometimes sharing planning responsibility with students.
Students study the history of the area and the impact of the river or stream
on the development of the local life, culture and economy. They monitor
the water quality and attempt to identify current and potential environmental
problems. They become actively involved in the life of the community through
various forms of investigation into its life and through an understanding
of its governance and future. They learn to value its art, history and mores
and desire to preserve the best of the past and present as well as to improve
the quality of life for the future. As environmental issues surface they
work together to develop possible solutions to the identified problems.
Students may get involved with the community in communication through print
or visual media. Activities may also include developing an understanding
of, and getting involved in the politics of the community. At the very least
students share their study activities with their parents and encourage their
families to develop life styles that promote greater environmental, social
and political quality. These cross-generational activities provide ownership
and valuing of the community heritage and environment. Such activities are
also a powerful force in helping students develop environment-friendly attitudes
and behaviors, leading to a life style which is crucial for the future stewards
of our planet.
The Iowa Rivers Project Implementation Manual provides resources for the
development of an integrated approach to curriculum that will include all
disciplines. Project students communicate with students from other schools
in the project via an Internet home page. Through this electronic sharing
among project sites of information resulting from their investigations,
students come to understand the heritage, resources and problems associated
with these waterways. As a result they will hopefully become actively involved
in helping assure the quality of the waterway and of the life of the human
and other populations in the local ecosystem. During the 1995-96 school
year approximately 1500 Iowa students were involved in these types of investigations.
Project Director:
Bruce Frana
Grant Wood Area Education Agency
4401 Sixth Street SW
Cedar Rapids, Iowa 52404 phone: 1-800-332-8488 e-mail: bfrana@mail.aea10.k12.ia.us