Kansas School for the Deaf

            In March of 2009, I had a very unique experience. The Kansas School for the Deaf signed up for the Blue River Watershed Association’s T.R.U.E. Blue program. Preparing for this lesson was different than most. Most of the prep time was spent working on talking slow enough so the translator could keep up. Then there was the idea of how they were going be able to run the experiments.

            Finally the day come for the first lesson. It took more time than normal, but it was a great success. By going slower and having more time it allowed more of the information to sink it. The students were asking questions and became aware and concerned about the issues facing the Kansas City water.

            When we came back for the kit training that is where the true test came. 30 students were crammed into one lab room. Groups were spread out all over the room so communication was hard. The whole class was taught while standing on a chair so that everyone could see.

            At the creek the students had to crawl down a steep bank to get to the water. Even though the kids were getting frustrated each was ecstatic about the experience. Everyone wanted to get into the water and figure it out. The group I was working with was amazing. They remembered the steps and worked through the test with minimal help from me.

            Once we were finished the students wanted to talk to us so much. They were inspired by the science and wanted to know how to get careers in hydrology. The teacher told us later that after we left each day, they would talk for hours about water quality.

            In an urban area that actual number of students reached is very minimal. No body thinks they are the problem. But each of these students cared and wanted to know how they could personally make a difference.