Summary:
     The White River School is a six hour educational program for high school students to learn hands-on about water quality and the White River, which flows through Indianapolis, IN. A total of 17 students participated in the program in May 2003 and completed pre and post tests. Gain scores were calculated for the matched pre and post tests. The overall average gain score was 26.47 percent. Five students showed no gain in score from pre to post test and one student showed a gain of 75 percent.

The Issue:
     One of the best ways to facilitate active citizenship is to show people how and why they should "get active". A more lasting call to action can by issued by increasing a person's awareness and knowledge through direct experience. Studies have shown that youth begin developing personal citizenship at a young age and that the high school years are a perfect time for young people to apply citizenship skills.

What We've Done:
     The White River School is a six hour educational program for high school students to learn hands-on about water quality and the White River, which flows through Indianapolis, IN. The students experience the River firsthand from the water by rafting a segment of the river. In addition to the rafting expedition, the students attend sessions on the history of the White River, aquatic wildlife, watersheds and land use, macro invertebrates and water quality. Additionally, during the rafting trip, they stop at one of the Combined Sewer Overflow (CSO) outlets for a presentation regarding CSO's. The rafting trip culminates classroom instruction on the same topics.
     The students are given an 8 item pre test and post test on the day of the rafting trip. A total of 17 students participated in the program in May 2003. Because of safety concerns with the water level, the students did not actually raft the river. Instead the sessions were all taught "on land" and the students did go river side for observation.

The Impact:
     Gain scores were calculated for the matched pre and post tests. The overall average gain score was 26.47 percent. Five students showed no gain in score from pre to post test and one student showed a gain of 75 percent.

Cooperators:
     Friends of White River
     Hoosier Riverwatch
     Indiana Project WET (Water Education for Teachers)
     Indiana Project WILD
     Purdue Extension - Marion County
     Arlington High School
     Zionsville High School