It's called Listening to the River. By using the latest technology, students are able to participate in outdoor activities to learn all about area watersheds.
"It's really important to get them outside or to help deepen their knowledge about the outdoors if they're already enjoying being out there," says Education Coordinator Chris Kitzman.
Groups normally spend three days working on a project: a day in the field, one day using the technology, and one day to complete research and put the finishing touches on the final product. By using GPS units, digital cameras, and microphones, the groups create a Web site to share the images and sounds of nature.
"Basically it gives them a chance to be creative, but also to share information with other people, and we find that's pretty empowering for the kids," said Jim Muratzki, the Technology Director.
So far the program has worked well in Traverse City. Events such as a river clean-up are already in the works for the Marquette area.
And although not everyone may become a scientist, it opens the door for other options.
"It's also a good career move in the sense that they're using very sophisticated equipment in authentic ways. The equipment that we use is top of the line stuff that they would use in a production job in a studio," states Kitzman.
The first watershed activity for the Marquette area will take place during the first week of April. Activities will continue through September.
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