|
RiverXchange is a one-of-a-kind project that integrates water resources topics, computer technology and class partnerships so that students become “high tech pen pals” to learn about each other's rivers.
Each year, fourth or fifth 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/service learning project) 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
- Water in Our Society
- River Ecosystem
In-class activities and field trip activities come from the Rio Grande Bosque Education Guide Project, published by the New Mexico Museum of Natural History and the Rio Grande Center/State Parks, Project WET’s Curriculum and Activity Guide and Project WET’s Discover a Watershed: The Watershed Manager Educators’ Guide.
New Mexico teachers will participate in a Project WET teacher professional development workshop where they will be trained how to present activities to their students, meet guest speakers and learn how to create and manage their class wiki. At that workshop, New Mexico teachers will invite their partner class onto their shared wiki website. Partner teachers are selected based on their Project WET and other water-related professional development experience, and on their ability to carry out the curriculum.
The highlight of the curriculum is a field trip/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.
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 or fifth graders – many of whom have never traveled beyond their city limits.
Students share what they are learning with their new high tech pen pals every week or two via a private wiki which can be edited by either class. Each class wiki is private and access is restricted to teachers, students and RiverXchange coordinators (i.e., the general public is not able to view these wikis).
Through RiverXchange, the proof that a teacher is implementing all or some portion of the curriculum is in their class wiki website. 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.
The field trip was great, but I think teaching the Project WET lessons was the BEST part! The field trip just reinforced those concepts! I was bummed we did not get a chance to work more on our wiki, but like I said, the rest was a blast! I created a Go Green unit this year as well and included some lessons from Project WET in it! Thank you for such a wonderful opportunity! -- Heather Strader, New Mexico teacher
RiverXchange enabled the students to be more involved in learning than other projects I have implemented and seen. Students had to digest what they learned and re-tell that learning to someone else. This forced them to take ownership of the information and experiences. Also, the variety of the activities appealed to different student learning styles. Students had to research, do hands-on activities and learn to communicate. There was some aspect that appealed to every student. – Jim Lafley, Education
Coordinator with the Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation
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
2008 RiverXchange Project
Teacher Awards
Major Sponsors
In-kind Partners
Fiscal Partner
|
