The Student Watershed Watch (SWW) brings our young people out to area waterways in northwest Ohio every year for sampling, studying, and reporting. Their hands-on analysis of water quality generates an appreciation for our natural resources and fosters the next generation of water stewards.
The 2022 Student Watershed Watch Summit was LIVE & in person on Friday, November 4th!
The Toledo Zoo hosted this in-person Summit, and it turned out to be an amazing day of science, creativity, and education! Check out the awesome photos of the Summit!
Photos from each sampling event!
Click here for a gallery of photos from the Ottawa Hills sampling event.
Click here for a gallery of photos from the Otsego sampling event.
Click here for a gallery of photos from Navarre Elementary.
Click here for a gallery of photos from Marshall STEMM Academy.
Click here for a gallery of photos from Old West End Academy.
For 33 years, the Student Watershed Watch has involved hundreds of students and dozens of classrooms in annual water quality testing and analysis in area waterways. Each year, the project tasks students with sampling, studying, and reporting on water quality issues, giving them hands-on scientific experience and insight into the importance of protecting our natural resources.
The work involves field days in September and October where students collect water samples and use test kits to measure parameters such as dissolved oxygen, turbidity, nutrients, pH value, and bacteria levels. They look for what types of macroinvertebrates are living in the area and what they can show about the quality of the habitat for wildlife.
In October, enthusiastic students splashed with their boots, checked out bugs, and learned about the relationship between water and wildlife during hands-on sessions with TMACOG Water Quality staff.
For more than three decades, TMACOG has facilitated the annual Student Watershed Watch, which this year involved an estimated 570 students from at least a dozen schools throughout the region.
Students presented their results at the Student Summit, which will occurred on Friday, November 4 at The Toledo Zoo. Some student groups presented academic presentations at this event, while others got creative and performed sketches using comedy or pop culture. They also get exposure to water quality professionals to learn about career paths in water and wastewater, restoration, and biology.
Watch this page for more information on this fun, longstanding initiative. In past years, students and working professionals recorded videos instead of making in-person presentations. You can still find many of these resources below.
For more information about this popular and valuable program, contact SARA GUIHER
In the near future the Summit page will be accessed on the side bars.
TMACOG wishes to thank the dedicated teachers who work tirelessly to create a quality learning experience even in these challenging times. We also thank our generous sponsors for their commitment to this program.
Smart Citizen Science
Otsego Junior High School | Mrs. Duhamel's Class Presentation
Otsego Junior High School Science Presentation | Water Quality of the Maumee River
Ryan Wichman
Meteorologist, WTOL 11 Toledo
A self-proclaimed weather geek, Ryan brings enthusiasm and fun to his work as a broadcast meteorologist. To prepare for his career, he studied a lot of physics and calculus in college and also chases storms for fun.
Michelle Harrison
Class III Wastewater Operator
Michelle is a birdwatcher, with experience in the military and in construction. She says, “it’s a great job, it pays well, and you’re helping the environment.” And it’s not as gross as you think
Andrew Sankowski
Water Resources Engineer
Andrew says, call him if you want to talk about careers in water. He chose his field to be part of making sustainable solutions. He focuses on stormwater and its impacts on the environment and on infrastructure
Tour the McComb Wastewater Treatment Plant
Join Michelle Harrison, Class III Wastewater Operator at the Northwestern Water & Sewer District to see what goes into a water treatment plant, and watch clean water come out. Northwestern Water and Sewer District manages facilities for townships and villages in Wood County and parts of Henry and Sandusky counties.
Northwestern Water & Sewer District videos starring Michelle Harrison were produced by:
Theresa Pollick
Public Information Director
Northwestern Water & Sewer District
“The Andersons believes that improving and protecting Ohio’s waterways requires the collaborative efforts of government agencies, businesses, environmental groups and universities. We are proud to be a part of this collaboration and are committed to helping find effective solutions to ensure safe, clean water for our region.”
"The FCA Foundation is proud to foster an appreciation of the region's natural resources through our support of TMACOG's Student Watershed Watch. Together we are empowering Toledo-area students to serve as the next generation of environmental stewards."
“The SWW is such an inspiring program for young people. It gives them hands on experience to increase their understanding and their interest in preserving and protecting our environment.”
"ProMedica is proud to support the Student Watershed Watch program. It is a wonderful opportunity for students to be in the field for hands-on learning experiences. Safe, clean and healthy waterways are critical to physical health and we are happy to help encourage and inspire the next generation of water stewards."
TMACOG is a member organization. Members include governments: counties, cities, villages, and townships. Non-governmental members include utilities, advocacy organizations, schools, and special districts and authorities.
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