Kon^erv Ml % a Kids Learn About Water Quality NEWARK, Del. - Brothers Dustin Borntreger and Stephen Galloway, ages 11 and 8, lift their dip nets from the dark waters of Mud Mill Pond, near Marydel, Del., and look for aquatic critters lurking in the recesses of the dripping green vegetation Poking around intently, Bomtreger’s face suddenly lights up. “Here’s something,” he says, carefully scooping a small insect from his net and dropping it into a container of water to identify later Just as suddenly, Galloway flashes a wide smile and announces, “And I found a cat fishl” It is the size of his little fin ger. Together with cousins Elizabeth and Lindsey Gooden, ages 18 and 17, and 4-H leaders Dana Sharpe and Kay Stout, these Westville Club 4-H’ers are participating in the 4-H Feeder Stream Project Rebecca Marasco, University of Delaware Cooperative Extension associate for renew able resources, says the project was made possible through the 1999 AstraZeneca Biogrant, which provided $5,000 toward the costs of a statewide Streamwatch project conducted over the summer The grant is an extension of a 1998 Center for the Inland Bays Biogrant, which focused on water quality m the Inland Bajs of Sussex County Anna Maria Montonc, UD Extension intern, worked with Marasco a' project administra tor According to Montone, groups monitor a site of their choice, repeating various tests the same time of the day, the same day of the week, for six weeks Stuck On Bubble Gum (NAPS) Television, the air plane, the Internet., these 20th Century innovations have revo lutionized our lives. But as peo ple switch from channel surfing to surfing the net, one 20th Century innovation has remained constant —bubble gum! That’s right, bubble gum. That vestige of every childhood, outlaw in every school and cracking, popping and blowing champion of kids is still the item people reach for at the rate of 40 million pieces every day. Thanks to a Philadelphia accountant —Walter Diemer — who discovered the world’s first bubble gum in 1928 (and dyed it pink because that was the only food coloring he had on hand), Dubble Bubble was born and has grown to become one of the most well recognized brands in the world. The magic of bubble blowing has always made bubble gum a favorite interactive treat. Even with lollipops that spin and candy that can be worn, Dubble Bubble reigns as the world’s first interactive sweet. Just think of the number of times you’ve heard “put that gum back in your mouth young man!” “Twenty-four sites throughout the state are being monitored - 18 of them in Kent County,” says Montone, who taught each of the groups how to get started. Montone says the intent of the project is to spark an increased awareness among 4-H groups - and through them their families - of the importance of water quality in Delaware. Extension wanted to let 4-H’ers know, from an early age, that each person makes a difference. “Our groups have lots of inter est in this kind of science,” say Montone “They especially love the down and dirty stuff like dip netting And they enjoy the water chemistry tests, too, because they don’t always get to do that kind of hands-on testing at school These kids definitely have the enthusi asm to learn from this project ” The enthusiasm of this group well may be rooted in Dana Sharpe, once a 4-H’er herself, who became a leader when daughters Sherry and Jessica joined the club more than 15 years ago “I really believe in the 4-H program,” she says “This Streamwatch project is just one of the many projects our kids are involved in that teaches them leadership skills and helps them develop into responsible adults.” “We were pleased to receive funding from AstraZeneca to expand this project statewide,” says Joy Sparks, state program coordinator for 4-H youth devel opment at the University of Delaware. “The learning that takes place in hands-on activities like this is terrific.” In voices that mimic the still ness of the early morning hours, We spend a half-billion dol lars each year on bubble gum. For those gum-toting, big bubble blowing chewers here are some trade secrets, straight from the Bubble Bubble factory: • Chew at least 5 pieces of Bubble Bubble (mix with a tea spoon of peanut butter for best results!) • Chew the gum for at least 5 minutes to dissolve the sugar. • Stick your tongue way out to make a huge bubble pocket. •To blow a double Bubble Bubble, blow a big bubble and seal it off. Immediately blow another bubble inside. • Use your hands to shape the bubble if it starts sagging or popping. • Cleaning up is half the fun... to remove bubble gum for your: • Face: use the wad from your mouth to dab off • Shoe: dab with a cotton ball soaked in rubbing alcohol • Clothing: rub the spot with ice and scrape off • Hair: knead peanut butter into the gum and then shampoo For more information about Dubble Bubble and a wad of fun facts on bubble gum, pop into the Dubble Bubble website at www.dubblebubble.com. Elizabeth and her cousin sit along the edge of the pond com pleting the water chemistry tests for the morning. “Carbon dioxide is 10 (mg/L),” says Elizabeth.” And pH (a mea sure of acidity) is 6.” “Dissolved oxygen is 8 (mb/L),” says Lindsey. The girls scribble down these findings and others. “Air temper ature is 26 degrees C. (79 degrees F) and water temperature is the same...” Montone nods toward the group. ‘These kids are learning so much about water quality and how their activities impact the watershed they live in,” she says. “An experience like this always works best in getting people interested m environmental issues.” Steve Galloway lifts a dip net in search of aquatic critters lurking in the dark waters of Mud Mill Pond. / * I h*
Significant historical Pennsylvania newspapers