See the 2006-07 Montessori Middle School Grant Final Report

Focus Watershed: Stone Creek of South Elkhorn

The focus of this project is a Fayette County tributary of Stone Creek of the South Elkhorn Watershed.  The South Elkhorn Creek watershed includes stream segments listed by the Kentucky Division of Water for various water quality impairments, including pathogen, nutrient and sediment pollution.  The portions of the watershed within Lexington have also been subjected to significant streambank and habitat alteration. 

As part of the science curriculum at Montessori Middle School, groups of students will be measuring and assessing water quality, biology and stream geomorphic characteristics.  The students will focus on learning and documenting the detrimental impacts of urbanization of the stream.  Various water quality parameters will be monitored at three locations along the stream.  Several partnering organizations will provide expertise to broaden the educational opportunities of this hands-on project.  The students will develop 4 training modules as part of the project.  These will cover (1) impacts of urbanization—a case study of Stone Creek, (2) how to conduct stream water quality testing, (3) step-by-step fecal coliform analysis, and (4) simplified field methods to determine stream geomorphic characteristics.  Each module will contain a PowerPoint presentation and teaching outline.  The school will also invite approximately 50 students from surrounding schools to participate in a stream educational program based on the developed modules.  Overview articles about the project will be written by the students and published in the school newsletter and on its website.