Did you know that our community’s third graders are concerned about the health of Town Run? At the recent Science Fair with 35 project entries by Shepherdstown Elementary students, one of the judges of the Fair entries reported that 20% of the science projects that were entered in the School Science Fair focused on Town Run.
One pair of third graders, Luca and Alex, did a lot of thinking before organizing their science project. With their moms’ help, they contacted the Town Run Watershed Steering Committee and arranged to interview two members. They had a long list of very good questions and alternated, each asking one and then giving the other his turn.
The boys investigated the impact of pollutants on plant growth in Town Run. They used three pollutants, vinegar, fertilizer and laundry detergent, and compared the impact of each on the growth of the invasive parrot feather plant that grows in Town Run as it flows through Morgan’s Grove Park. The boys collected water and parrot feather plants from Town Run in the park. Each day over a week’s time they observed the appearance and smell of the water and the health of the plants. Their project on Protecting Town Run from pollutants won the Science Fair’s blue ribbon!
Congratulations, Luca and Alex! Well done! We’re delighted that you are Friends of Town Run!
