Fourth Grade Students Share RiverXchange is a one-of-a-kind project that integrates environmental education topics, computer technology and class partnerships so that students become “high tech pen pals” to learn about each other's rivers. Each year, fourth grade classes from Albuquerque and Rio Rancho (New Mexico) are partnered with classes from around the U.S. and world to learn about their own local river ecosystems. Teachers are selected based on their knowledge of water resources topics, commitment to carry out the curriculum (including the field trip) and student access to computers. All components of the project are free of charge to New Mexico teachers. Technical support is provided free of charge to partner teachers. All classes follow the same curriculum at approximately the same time during the school year and regularly share what they are learning via a private web-based technology known as a “wiki.” The curriculum is divided into three units Understanding a Watershed, Human Connections to the River and River Ecosystem. The highlight of the curriculum is a field trip and/or service learning project to the local river or tributary. In addition, students participate in many hands-on activities to help them develop a deeper understanding of the concepts. Teachers have the opportunity to invite guest speakers to the classroom to help with hands-on activities and add their own unique perspectives. Each class shares what they are learning with their new pen pal class every week or two via a private wiki which can be edited by either class. Students examine many aspects of the river in their own back yard and take pride in sharing their knowledge of their local ecosystem. Many students say they have never been to their local river, so this project provides an important opportunity for them to actually experience the river. Students gain a broader understanding of the importance of a river to human life because they are learning from their peers about another river ecosystem and comparing it with their own. RiverXchange gives these students the unique opportunity to see and hear each other, ask questions, and share personal experiences about a distant place. Teachers feel this kind of personal connection is a big deal for fourth graders – many of whom have never traveled beyond their city limits. Through RiverXchange, the proof that a teacher is implementing all or some portion of the curriculum is in their class wiki. As coordinators with access to all class wikis, we are able to see what students are learning and talking about. Our hope is that teachers will come to view RiverXchange as an opportunity to easily integrate water resources topics into the normal routine while simultaneously improving their students’ confidence and skills in communication, organization, writing, geography, math, history, science and computer technology. As one New Mexico teacher said:
RiverXchange began in 2008 as a pilot project between the New Mexico Water Conservation Alliance and the National Great Rivers Research and Education Center, featuring partnerships between two fourth grade classes in Albuquerque, New Mexico, and two fifth grade classes in Godfrey, Illinois. For more information about this pilot year, click on 2008 RiverXchange Project (below). Evaluation: 2009 RiverXchange Final Report A Hybrid Project Takes to the (Internet) Highway Major Sponsors and Partners
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