In an innovative move towards enhancing environmental stewardship and education, students from the Dr. James A. Forrest Career and Technology Center in Leonardtown, Maryland, have made significant strides in developing low-cost remote water quality monitoring kits. Known as Bay Observation Boxes (BOBs), these devices have been a collaborative effort between the school’s Natural Resources Management (NRM) and Engineering programs, under the guidance of teachers Dorothy Birch, Nathan Swick, and Arnold Skinner.
The project, primarily funded by two grants from the Chesapeake Bay Trust, has seen students from both programs merge theoretical knowledge with practical application to produce technology that rivals commercial equivalents priced over $20,000. The BOBs, which cost approximately $900 each to assemble, offer continuous monitoring of various environmental parameters such as air and water temperature, dissolved oxygen levels, pH, electrical conductivity, total dissolved solids, and salinity. This initiative has already yielded over a million data points, which are accessible through a publicly available dashboard, updated every fifteen minutes.
Dorothy Birch highlighted the project’s ambitious goals, stating, “We are working to develop low-cost water quality monitors that we hope someday will be used widely by organizations, companies, and individuals. The more monitors that are deployed, the better picture we will get of water quality, and the more actionable data we can use to improve it.”
Engineering students have also played a crucial role, with Nathan Swick expressing pride in their involvement, “It’s a great opportunity for the Engineering program.” The project has benefited from the contributions of community volunteers like Norm O’Foran and partnerships with organizations such as the St. Mary’s River Watershed Association and the Chesapeake Oyster Alliance.
Beyond the technical skills acquired through building and deploying these kits, students have also honed soft skills such as self-directed work, problem-solving, and teamwork. According to Birch, this hands-on, project-based learning approach has been instrumental in student development, encouraging creativity and perseverance.
The educational impact of the BOBs project extends beyond the classroom. Students have engaged with the community through events like the Patuxent River Appreciation Day at the Calvert Marine Museum and presentations to local government officials. These interactions not only serve to educate the public about water quality issues but also provide students with invaluable real-world experience.
As the project continues to evolve, with more BOBs under construction and new deployments planned, its influence on environmental monitoring and education is undeniable. Students like Abigail Davis find motivation in the broader implications of their work, “knowing that I’m contributing to something that has a meaningful impact on my own community.”
This endeavor not only showcases the potential of integrating technology and environmental science in education but also exemplifies how youth can play a pivotal role in addressing pressing ecological challenges through innovation and collaboration.