Fifth grade social studies students at Adair County Elementary School were treated to a visit from Tennessee Valley Authority representatives last week, who educated students on water conservation, water recycling, and why it’s important to take care of the water a community uses and reuses every day.
With a focus on Green River Lake, TVA employees Vickie Valentine and Jessica Venable showed students how to conduct and measure four different tests for water quality. The qualities included PH levels, temperature, oxygen levels, and cleanliness. The exercise also served as a hands-on opportunity for students to learn the scientific method.
Students in Angie Smith’s social studies classes conducted the tests last Wednesday and those in Tammy Shelton’s class went through the same program the following day. “The students have shown a lot of interest and the participation has been great,” Smith says. “It’s a good opportunity for them to learn about the scientific method and water conservation at the same time.”
The program visited social studies classrooms as part of a district-wide cross-disciplinary effort to incorporate STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math) principles into other subject areas.
By Wes Feese
Media Relations, Adair County Schools
