Dr. Brandon Gillette’s seventh grade life science classes’ work in collecting data about Brush Creek is now being made available to the Missouri Department of Conservation. Over the summer, Brandon became a certified water quality volunteer with the department. Data he and his students collect is then submitted and used by the department for its ongoing conservation efforts. “The students’ work will be contributing to the state database,” Brandon said.

Brandon’s students’ tested the water this week and will test it again later in the spring. By doing this, they can track how the water is being affected at different times of the year.

Additionally, Brandon applied for and received a Water Quality Small Grant through the Kansas City, Mo. Water Department to pay for testing equipment as well as educational instructors. These tools help students garner a better understanding of the biological indicators of the water, pollutants that affect its quality, where it travels and how it's treated. 

For several years, Brandon has been incorporating an Earth systems approach into his life sciences classes, which helps students understand that all the different parts of the planet are interconnected.

“Instead of looking just at Brush Creek from a physical perspective, we are looking at how it interacts with its surroundings,” he explained.

In his classes, Brandon challenges students to investigate solutions to problems. “We know water is polluted. But what are we doing about it? It’s amazing how much we don’t know about our own area, how we affect it and how it affects us. Through this experience, the students are learning more about where they live and gaining a better understanding of our community.”