This project will engage high school students in small rural communities in eastern washington in a comprehensive inquiry-based water quality education and community science program

Students in six high schools that serve nine communities in the palouse river watershed will monitor and collect water quality data in local streams. High school students will develop and implement a community education initiative in addition to participating in a water summit. Professionals from the agricultural, conservation, and local government sectors will participate as mentors in the educational program. Each school year will culminate in a water summit and a restoration project that addresses water quality concerns in the watershed. Funding for this project will establish a foundation for an ongoing monitoring, water education, and community science program for small rural communities in whitman county.activities:project activities include providing water quality education opportunities and career education to rural high school classes, this entails tailoring curricula to include lesson plans and hands on activities. The grantee also plans to work with project partners to identify suitable locations for stream monitoring activities, as well as a yearlong comprehensive water quality program. The grantee also plans to host an annual 'envirothon' competition, which will provide hands one problem solving skills. Additionally, the grantee plans to host tree planting initiatives as well as river cleanups. Subrecipient:future farmers of america will provide agricultural education courses and curriculum. Washington state envirothon WSE will develop and facilitate hands-on educational lessons about water quality and provide study BIN kits for water quality testing. Palouse clearwater environmental institute will assist palouse conservation district (PCD) in identifying project locations and serve as an educational resource. The phoenix conservancy will help to identify project locations and needs and serve as an educational resource for the project. Palouse discovery science center will collaborate with PCD to expand educational activities at the pdsc campus.outcomes:the anticipated deliverables are water quality educated high school students, better water quality in implemented districts, increase in trees planted and reduction in harm caused to environmental justice communities in washington with better environmental quality. The intended beneficiaries are primarily the high school students in the surrounding counties, as well as residents who will benefit from better water quality.