Who

Maryland Department of the Environment (MDE) Deputy Secretary Robert Summers, Digital Harbor High School

When

Friday, October 10, 10:30 a.m.

Where

Docks between the Inner Harbor and the Maryland Science Center, 601 Light Street, Baltimore, MD

What

MDE staff will join approximately 45 Advanced Placement Biology and Environmental Science students to test water in the Inner Harbor and mark World Water Monitoring Day. By participating, Maryland students receive a hands-on experience in assessing the condition of their local environment and use some of the same basic tests used by MDE to assess, protect, and restore Maryland’s waters. Students will be able to view the results of their work on-line and compare their findings with those of other students. The effort complements Maryland's commitment to promoting environmental education as embodied in the Chesapeake Bay 2000 Agreement.

Reporters will be able to observe the students both from the dock and on the boat collecting water samples. Reporters will be able to interview the students, teachers, school staff, and MDE Deputy Secretary Bob Summers. Visuals will include students engaging in scientific study and the Inner Harbor.

MDE provided schools across the state with simple water quality monitoring kits containing 50 sets of tests that students can use to gather data on four important measures of water quality – dissolved oxygen, pH, temperature, and clarity.

World Water Monitoring Day is an international education and outreach program that builds public awareness and involvement in protecting water resources around the world by engaging citizens to conduct basic monitoring of their local water bodies. Results are shared with participating communities around the globe through the WWMD Web site. World Water Monitoring Day, recognizes the anniversary of the U.S. Clean Water Act. The coordinators of WWMD, the Water Environment Federation (WEF) and the International Water Association (IWA) plan to expand participation to one million people in 100 countries by 2012.

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