The 4-H Alabama Water Watch Program, which is part of the Auburn University Water Resources Center, implemented the NOAA B-WET (Bays Watershed Education Training) funded project, Exploring and Mitigating Pathogen Pollution in Our Waters, from 2019 until 2024. Through the project, 4-H AWW trained over 50 Alabama and Mississippi educators to utilize the project curriculum, Exploring Pathogen Pollution in Our Waters, to lead students in Meaningful Watershed Educational Experiences (MWEEs) focused on understanding, detecting, and mitigating pathogen pollution in local waters. These educators engaged more than 2,200 elementary, middle, and high school students during the project period, which includes bacteriological monitoring bacteria of local waterbodies to detect fecal contamination. Participating schools have submitted nearly 500 data records to the AWW database.   

Through this project, students have gained real-life experience with data collection, analysis, science communication, problem identification, and development of strategies to address water quality issues. They increased their understanding and appreciation for participatory science and its important role in water quality monitoring, protection, and restoration. The project addressed the Gulf of Mexico Alliance’s Education and Engagement and Water Resources Priorities by increasing environmental literacy and encouraging watershed stewardship in the Gulf Region.  

During this presentation, I will 1) provide a project overview 2) discuss challenges and lessons learned 3) promote the benefits of engaging school groups in community-based water monitoring, and 4) share project outputs, outcomes, and next steps.