A group of M. B. Lamar Middle School students traded their traditional classroom for the outdoors, spending a full day conducting hands-on environmental research alongside scientists from the Rio Grande International Study Center (RGISC) at Bartlett Park.
Working directly in the field, students assumed the roles of environmental researchers to analyze local water quality, collect ecological samples, and evaluate the overall health of the surrounding aquatic ecosystem. The immersive experience allowed students to apply scientific methods directly to real-world conservation efforts in their local community.
The field trip aligned with RGISC’s broader mission to preserve and protect the Rio Grande-Rio Bravo watershed through environmental research, public advocacy, bi-national collaboration, and hands-on education. By engaging in water testing and habitat analysis, the students gained a firsthand understanding of how local natural resources impact the regional environment.
School organizers highlighted the value of outdoor field study in bridging classroom concepts with practical ecological stewardship, noting how direct community involvement fosters scientific curiosity.
"Through hands-on experiences like this, our students gain a deeper understanding of the vital mission behind protecting our watershed," science teacher, Mr. Garcia stated. "We extend a huge thank you to the dedicated team at RGISC for guiding our students, sparking their curiosity, and inspiring the next generation of environmental stewards."
The campus community praised the participating Lions for their active leadership in environmental research, highlighting the event as a model for future community-based STEM learning.