April 17, 2025
Kathy Black and Marka Smith (both of Bicentennial Volunteers, Inc. | BVI) worked with Rachel Terrell, Manager, Public Outreach and Support, on partnering with TVA on a Water Monitoring Project. TVA currently goes into schools and teaches Water Monitoring to 4th and 5th graders.
TVA provides the test kits to the students. The kits allow the students to perform tests on water temperature, dissolved oxygen, pH, and turbidity – then the students analyze and interpret the data.
Wanda Mosley said that “I was VERY impressed with the excitement of the kids. Their teachers have done a wonderful job. The kids recognized items in the pictures and recognized things they discovered during the outside process.”
TVA taught our first set of Chattanooga BVI volunteers (Sam Esslinger, Don Johnson, Wanda Mosley, and Stuart Neil). BVI trainers have already taught in one elementary school and are teaching in another soon.
Sam Esslinger said he was really impressed by how much the students had learned from their teachers. And they learned how the Tennessee Valley helps reduce flood damage by using reservoirs to hold back heavy rain. The students also understood how erosion is affected by things like land shape and soil.
We plan to train Knoxville BVI volunteers in July so that can start teaching Water Monitoring in the Knox County School system beginning in August.
Don Johnson shared that “The kids were very well behaved and when we asked how they enjoyed the class we received an astounding excited response.”
Stuart Neil commented on the school’s post, “I really enjoyed being there to show all your future scientists how to test the water. You all were so well behaved. It was a pleasure to help you learn about our environment.”
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