[Editor's note: The following was sent by the Glen Rock Environmental Commission]

On the clear, cool morning of Friday, May 12, students from the the Glen Rock High School Environmenal Science AP class gathered in the Thielke Arboretum to learn how to conduct a stream quality assessment in the Diamond Brook.

The class is taught by Heather McDermott. The hands-on learning session was led by Watershed Ambassador Patricia Michelotti (yellow t-shirt). Three students stood in the stream to gather data from which they could calculate the stream velocity -- one of several metrics they learned to conduct.  The students gathered velocity data by tossing a small yellow rubber ducky upstream and timing how long it took to float a specified distance. They repeated this several times so they could gather several data sets and then calculate the average. This was just one dimension of the stream health they learned to observe.

Later in May, these students will serve as instructors and assistants for the Glen Rock Fourth Grade Water Day. This fun, interactive event engages all fourth grade students in a full day of learning about watersheds, water conservation, wetlands habits and native species.