Inspiring the Next Generation of Scientists and Environmental Stewards
4-H2O Education Program
What is the 4-H2O Education Program?
Through our 4-H2O program, CSI aims to foster and support the next generation of scientists and environmental stewards through hands-on water science and engaging activities that allow children to “dip their toes” into the world of water.
The 4-H2O program started as a collaborative relationship with the Tompkins County 4-H youth education organization in 2006. In 2016, 4-H2O transitioned from a club format to a project based format allowing all children to participate regardless of their affiliation with 4-H. Each 4-H2O activity is presented in a way that makes scientific topics approachable and engaging for children and adults with any level of experience or interest.
What age group can participate?
The target age for programming is 6-14 and kids from elementary through high school are welcome to participate. Youth under 7 must be accompanied by an adult.
Looking for fun water science education activities? Check out our upcoming 4-H2O events below!
Journey of Water: Summer 2022 Educational Event Series
During the summer of 2022, CSI is hosting a special series of 4-H2O events called The Journey of Water. This series of nine events will provide children and families with a hands-on water science education covered topics such as the water cycle, basic water chemistry, benthic macroinvertebrates, water quality monitoring, and more! The events in this series will also provide a unique opportunity to learn about the journey of water right here in Ithaca, from streams such as Six Mile Creek, to the faucet in your home, and eventually to Cayuga Lake! Learn how water cycles through our local ecosystems and community!
As part of The Journey of Water series, we have created a Journey of Water Passport. The passport can be completed by collected stamps at the events and/or by completing self-guided water learning activities. Children and families who complete their passport will receive a CSI t-shirt and a Junior Water Scientist Certificate! You can pick up your Journey of Water Passport at any of the events this summer.
Build Your Own Water Filter
Date: June 25, 2022 Time: 1:00 PM – 3:00 PM Location: CSI’s Water Testing Lab in Ithaca!
Reservations are required at least two days in advance and space is limited. Details and directions will be provided upon registration.
Join the Community Science Institute at our certified water testing lab in Ithaca for a hands-on workshop to learn about ways that water can be polluted and cleaned. Kids will work in teams to build their own water filter out of natural and artificial materials. Teams will test their filters using water that is “polluted” (i.e. using food dye, soil, road salt, etc). Test kits and meters will be available for teams to measure basic water quality indicators such as pH and conductivity in the “polluted” and filtered water. CSI staff will introduce and discuss key concepts such as the water cycle, pollution, basic water chemistry, and ways in which the natural environment filters water as it cycles through ecosystems. A wonderful water science education event!
Stream Biomonitoring Fun!
Date: July 19, 2022 Time: 6:00 – 7:30 PM Location: Upper Buttermilk Falls State Park
Date: August 12, 2022 Time: 6:00 – 7:30 PM Location: Upper Robert H. Treman State Park
Date: September 17, 2022 Time: 1:00 – 2:30 PM Location: Lower Buttermilk Falls State Park
Reservations are required at least two days in advance. Directions and details will be provided when you sign up.
Who lives under the rocks in streams and what can these organisms tell us about water quality? Join the Community Science Institute (CSI) for an evening or afternoon at one of our scenic local State Parks as we explore the aquatic life that can be found in the creek and collect a sample of organisms that will be used to evaluate water quality and ecosystem health. This event is meant for the whole family and is interactive. Participants will help us wade through the creek to find organisms under rocks for everyone to look at under magnification. Learn to identify what you find and what these organisms indicate about how healthy a stream is. Those who are interested in following the scientific protocols for collecting an official sample (that will be analyzed and the results of which will be included in CSI’s long-term datasets of water quality) can help collect the sample and complete a physical survey of the stream. Bring a picnic dinner or lunch along, if you’d like!
River to Faucet
Date: August 20, 2022 Time: 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM Location: City of Ithaca Water Treatment Plant. Directions will be provided upon registration.
Reservations are required at least three days in advance and space is limited.
Where does the water in your faucet come from? In much of the City of Ithaca, drinking water comes from Six Mile Creek and then treated at the City of Ithaca Water Treatment Plant. Join the Community Science Institute and Water Treatment Plant Lab Director, Roxanna Johnston, for a presentation and guided tour of how water from Six Mile Creek is treated and supplied to Ithaca residents and businesses. The tour will build upon basic concepts of water quality introduced during the “Build Your Own Water Filter” activity and provide kids with an understanding and appreciation of where their water comes from and how it is managed.
Down the Drain and Into the Lake
Date: August 26, 2022 Time: 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM Location: Ithaca Area Wastewater Treatment Facility. Directions will be provided upon registration.
Reservations are required at least three days in advance and space is limited.
Where does water go when you flush the toilet or drain your bathtub? Join the Community Science Institute for a presentation and tour of the Ithaca Area Wastewater Treatment Facility (IAWWTF) with a facility operator. This program will build on basic concepts of water quality introduced during the “Build Your Own Water Filter” activity and provide kids with a sense of how water used by Ithaca residents is treated before it is discharged (back) into Cayuga Lake.
Water Quality Cruise on Cayuga Lake
Date: July 10, 2022 Time: 2:00 – 5:00 PM
Date: August 14, 2022 Time: 2:00 – 5:00 PM
Date: September 25, 2022 Time: 2:00 – 5:00 PM
Reservations are required at least three days in advance. Cruises aboard the Floating Classroom will depart from the Ithaca Farmers Market dock at Steamboat Landing, 545 3rd Street in Ithaca, NY. Please arrive 15 minutes before the departure time for check in. If you need to cancel your reservation please do so at least one day in advance.
Sail Ho! Join the Community Science Institute on an exploration of Cayuga Lake aboard the Floating Classroom. For the 17th year running, CSI’s 4-H2O Program will be partnering with Discover Cayuga Lake’s Floating Classroom to collect and analyze water samples from Cayuga Lake. Participants will learn how to collect water samples using a Van Dorn sampler and will analyze them while aboard the Floating Classroom’s boat, the MV Teal. Data collected by participants will be included in CSI’s online water quality database, helping to better our collective understanding of the health of Cayuga Lake!
This is a great opportunity for all ages to participate in local water quality science! Space is limited, so sign up while there is still time!
To learn more about the precautions being taken to ensure everyone who participates in the cruise remains safe and healthy, please visit Discover Cayuga Lake’s covid-19 guidelines found on their website.
