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HANCOCK -- We're surrounded by it in Michigan.  But, how often do we think about the importance of water?

Hancock High School hopes to do, this week, a series of cross-curricular events, including wading into Swedetown Creek.

Hancock H.S. Biology students were surprised at how many micro-invertebrates they found in the chilly water on Tuesday.

"These students were very engaged," said Finlandia Biology Professor, Judy Budd, who organized the field trip.  "It's a great learning laboratory, so yeah, they were enjoying it."

Besides looking for tiny water creatures, the students also tested the water, looked at the surrounding watershed, and collected stream characteristic data.

The stream study is only one part of the school's week-long look at the scientific, political, and employment aspects of water.  Students also got the opportunity to meet and talk with the U.S. Coast Guard and learned about water recreation:  fishing and rowing.

Congressman Bart Stupak teleconferenced into a school-wide assembly Tuesday morning to talk to them about issues pertaining to the Great Lakes.  Stupak shared why he's opposed to the current draft of the Great Lakes Compact, which treats water as a commodity instead of a resource, opening it up for world trade.

"I think he's a really good speaker," said sophomore, Molly Holmbo.  "I could listen to him really well and it seemed like he cared about it."

Later this week, the students will take a tour of the waste water treatment plant in Houghton.