RiverQuest
School Field Studies (4.5 hours)
Welcome! As we eagerly await the completion and delivery of our new vessel, RiverQuest programs will most often be combinations of onboard and landside modules, in order to maximize the number of students served with our one boat Discovery. While the layout of the program has been temporarily adjusted, we are committed to maintaining the educational quality and fun experience you and your school have come to expect from RiverQuest. That is our promise!
If you have questions, please feel free to contact our offices at 412-231-2712.
Use these links to jump to different sections of information on this page:
Overview
Program Components
School Field Studies Descriptions
Fees
Universal Scholarships
Enrollment
Member School Districts
For information on 2-hour RiverQuest Special Field Studies for Schools, click here!
OVERVIEW
 RiverQuest is a non-profit science and environmental education organization that operates a river-based learning center for students, teachers and the community in the Pennsylvania, Ohio and West Virginia tri-state area. All RiverQuest programs are adventure-based, discovery programs that engage students in hands-on learning activities held onboard a vessel and on shore. We offer comprehensive standards-based programs, field trips, interactive classroom presentations and professional development for teachers.
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PROGRAM COMPONENTS
Teacher-Training Workshops:
Teachers who enroll their students in a Field Study participate in a one or two-day orientation and training workshop. These workshops provide teachers with an introduction to the content of the module they will be presenting to their students and demonstrate how to effectively use RiverQuest's classroom manuals and resource materials. The cost of the teacher workshop for non-member school teachers is $40. The two-day workshop is eligible for 10 Act 48 hours.
Classroom Program:
Students work through a two to four week classroom program studying topics that they will be exploring onboard. Classroom teachers lead their students through this program prior to and after the onboard Field Study. To assist them in their classroom work, teachers are equipped with a curriculum manual and a three-week usage of a Captain's Chest of resource materials.
 Field Study:
The Field Study takes place aboard one of RiverQuest's floating classrooms, and is often paired with a landside component in order to maximize vessel capacity.
RiverQuest vessels are fully equipped state of the art laboratories. RiverQuest maintains a RiverQuest eductor to student ratio of 1:10 to facilitate instruction. Classroom teachers and chaperones accomanying school groups on the Field Study are required to maintain their role as leaders of the classroom, and to stay engaged with students at all times. RiverQuest Field Studies are 4.5 hours in duration, including a 30-minute lunch period. Some schools booking multiple classes for the Environmental Science Field Study choose to enroll two 3-hour Field Studies "back to back" in one day.
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SCHOOL FIELD STUDY DESCRIPTIONS
The following School Field Studies operate from September to mid-November and from March to mid-June. Call 412-231-2712 for availability.
Environmental Science on the Three Rivers is adaptable for students in grades 4 through 12 and focuses on river ecosystems. The program is linked to national and state Environment & Ecology and Science & Technology education standards, and can be used to enhance existing school curriculum. The program manual and onboard Field Study include activities and lessons in biology, chemistry, ecology and watersheds. During the Field Study, students become junior scientists for the day as they travel the three rivers analyzing chemical and physical water quality indicators, studying macro and micro invertebrates, and identifying birds and native fish species. Students learn about each element of the river ecosystem and how these elements are interconnected. This program is most often split between onboard and landside modules in order to maximize vessel capacity.
Boats, Bridges and Water is designed for students in grades 5 through 8 and provides a unique opportunity for teachers and students to experience real world applications of middle school physical science and mathematics principles. The program is linked to national and state science and math standards at various academic levels and can be used to enhance existing school curriculum. An operational vessel becomes the classroom during a Field Study that explores how the natural and built environment impact each other. Students work independently and in small groups at various stations where they study boat operations, bridge engineering, hydrology, geology and meteorology. On board, students use critical thinking and problem-solving techniques in activities such as: estimating the load capacity of a bridge, using a flow meter and sonar technology to measure river current and depth, charting a course using radar and river charts and monitoring weather conditions. This program focuses on natural and man-made river resources and their relationship with each other. This program is available as
a 4.5-hour field study only, and is limited to 34 students and 3 chaperones per trip.
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FEES
The fee to participate in a RiverQuest School Field Study, which includes all of the components outlined above, depends on the school district's state aid ratio and scholarship availability. Current Program Fee Information may be found by calling RiverQuest at 412-231-2712. Fees are also listed on reservation forms distributed seasonally to schools.
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UNIVERSAL SCHOLARSHIPS
The cost to present RiverQuest's school program is significantly higher than the fee charged. Fees charged to schools currently represent approximately one-third of the total cost of program delivery. Local foundations, state and federal agencies, corporations and contributions from individuals financially support RiverQuest's School Program, along with proceeds from private charters.
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ENROLLMENT
Application materials are mailed to school districts in spring. The first phase of enrollment is traditionally reserved for Member Schools; after the member period, open enrollment begins. You can call 412 231-2712 to reserve dates for your class(es). Dates are assigned on a first come, first served basis.
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MEMBER SCHOOL DISTRICTS
RiverQuest is proud to be a yearly part of the curriculum for our Member School Districts. To learn more about School Memberships, call RiverQuest at 412-231-2712.
Current Member School Districts:
Deer Lakes School District
Gateway School District
Hempfield Area School District
Montour School District
Quaker Valley School District
West Jefferson Hills School District
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