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High-Schoolers Dive Into River Project

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The Tampa Tribune

Published: December 7, 2007

TAMPA - An air bubble or two in the dissolved oxygen can make for a bad water-quality test. But mistakes are not a problem.

"It's all right," Middleton High School science teacher Lisa Culberson said. "That's how we learn."

On a recent field trip to Lowry Park, 25 Middleton students got hands-on experience with three methods of water-quality testing. They evaluated each for accuracy, convenience and suitability for testing the Hillsborough River.

Their work in the Advanced Placement course earns school credit but also helps the Stream Water Watch Program. Hillsborough County recruits individuals and groups to monitor stream segments, with training support from the Plant City campus of Hillsborough Community College.

The Middleton students' results also are given to the Southwest Florida Water Management District, which provides support and some of the students' testing kits.

Students will conduct a yearlong study of the river's water quality through routine checks at Lowry and Rivercrest parks.

Kathy Steele

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