RiverQuest
College Programs

COLLEGE PROGRAM OFFERINGS

Colleges and universities can charter a 2 or 3 hour Education Sail or arrange for a specialized education program to enhance undergraduate and graduate courses, laboratories and research projects.

PROGRAM OPTIONS

River Ecology Field Study

A three hour program, developed and presented by RiverQuest introduces students to the inter-relationships of a river ecosystem. Through sampling, observation and analysis, students study water chemistry, plankton, macroinvertebrates, and native bird and fish species. This field expedition travels on all three rivers, collecting and comparing results, from which students can draw their own conclusions.

Design your own field study

Bring your own experts/equipment
Set up research projects
Set course of travel
Select sampling sites
Select content concentration areas

The following disciplines lend themselves to study on the rivers. ECOLOGY — Use the river as a living lab as you sample and examine native flora and fauna. CHEMISTRY — Analyze river water from various sites and depths to study data relationships and trends. BIOLOGY — Replace a traditional biology lab with a three hour River Ecology Program. EDUCATION — Demonstrate an inquiry based, hands-on science program to teachers in training. ARCHITECTURE — Design a river tour to examine the changing Pittsburgh landscape. ENGINEERING — Apply engineering principles to a river or bridge study.

EQUIPMENT

RiverQuest's floating classrooms are outfitted with scientific and other program equipment to facilitate learning and research. The program equipment includes, but is not limited to: compound and dissecting microscopes, video microscope, kemmerer, petite ponar bottom sampler, plankton net, sieve bucket, secchi disk, dissolved oxygen meter, turbidimeter, current meter, pH probe, Hach water quality testing kits, ID guides, binoculars, river charts, collection of preserved fish and macroinvertebrates. The boat is equipped with a depth sounder, radar, sound system, refrigerator, potable water sink, eye wash station, river water hose, bathroom, and standard 110 volt electrical supply.

Environmental Science and Ecology programs are best scheduled in the March through November timeframe. College Field Studies can be booked on weekend mornings; weekdays after 2:00 pm, and during select daytime hours as available.

Note that programs should be scheduled no less than one month in advance.

Field Study capacity and fee varies based on vessel utilized.