It was so great to not only present our research to our peers but also to learn about the service that they did for the community. For this presentation, we posted information that we have learned throughout the process of completing this project. We also provided multiple demonstrations for anyone who visited our table because we put the components of our water testing kit on display. It was very interesting to learn about the various topics that the other groups explored, and it was fun teaching others about what our group learned.

Scientist for a Day!

On April 10th, our group got to visit three different locations in Berks County and got the opportunity to test the water quality in our own backyard. Starting with Tulpehocken creek, then the Maiden creek, and lastly the Willow creek, we tested for the presence of many nutrients and chemicals. Among them, pH, conductivity, phosphates, dissolved oxygen, temperature, nitrates. Recording of these measurements are documented in a special data entry app for Berks Nature that can be accessed by fellow environmentalist and even NASA! We had so much fun looking at the results and comparing the different creeks. For example, Willow creek had a higher phosphate reading because it was abundant with algae, in contrast with Maiden and Tulpenhocken creek. This was a unique experience that will have a permanent impact in our environmental science studies and broadens our understanding of our own waters. This also educated us on what we can do to maintain our waters healthy and mainly keep them clean; not only in physical waste, but as well as the chemicals and invasive items we might introduce to our hydro environment.

We have been conducting research about climate change and the various ways that we can potentially reverse the damage that has already been done for our research paper.

Mackenzie Rice, Karla Cruz, An’Yea Sams (left to right)

Our team aims to help the quality of the water here at our own home, Berks County! That’s why our name is B. Hive, B for Berks. Our members are Karla Cruz, the president of this group and a hospitality management major. She will make sure to contact the organization leaders and keep track of emails and communication. The vice president is An’Yea Sams, she is a communications major and she will help us with organization and prep/planning. Our executive secretary is Mackenzie Rice, an applied psychology major and she will maintain our progress in a log and is responsible of taking any notes. We are looking forward to learning new ways to improve water quality throughout Reading. We will be working with the other teams in our class as well, to help the overall condition of our waters. We are excited to see what we can contribute to our society.