Education > Testing the Waters > About Testing The Waters > Program and Services

Each year, Testing the Waters hosts the Fall Water Quality Training— for teachers and students. This training includes a) hands-on training for new teachers and students in water quality testing procedures and protocols, and b) continuing water quality education for veteran teachers.

Schools participating for the 1^st time will become part of our Water Action Volunteers (WAV) program. During the first year, new schools will be loaned WAV equipment (with a $100 deposit) to perform 5 water quality tests. Upon completion of the 1st year of testing the $100 deposit will be returned. The new school will be required to bring back the WAV equipment clean and undamaged. At that time if the new school signs the TTW commitment letter they will be loaned TTW equipment to perform 9 water quality tests. They may keep the TTW equipment from that point forward. However when they are no longer active participating in TTW the equipment must be returned to Riveredge Nature Center.

Along with this training, TTW provides the following services:

• One set of water quality testing equipment and supporting materials (books, videos, etc.) for each participating school. (This equipment is provided to first year TTW participating schools. Subsequent equipment updates and care are up the individual schools.)
• Transportation funding for first year TTW participating schools, up to $200. Transportation costs may include travel to the TTW Fall Water Quality Training, to conduct water quality testing at your test site twice a year, or to additional pre-approved water education experiences with students.
• Field assistance at your site from TTW personnel to complete the nine water quality tests.
• A TTW website to view site specific water quality data and to access existing water quality data, information and experts.
• A list of reviewed Water Education field trip providers.
• The Testing the Waters Newsletter.
• An annual TTW Water Education Stipend.