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"Working with Friends of the Chicago River has been such an amazing experience for my class. Our school is very near to the river, and our middle school students spend much of their class time out there learning about how the water has changed over time and how it hosts a variety of organisms and food webs. CRSN has been invaluable as I teach these lessons, offering support, equipment, and leading events for my students. I cannot imagine my class being able to explore the river as much as we can without their guidance and partnership. Their team has helped shape my environmental science pedagogy, and I am so grateful to have their expertise!"

Kerrie Rovito, teacher at Waters Elementary

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Friends of the Chicago River Field Trip at Miami Woods

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“I remember our field trip to Sweet Woods, it was a very fun experience where we caught crayfish underneath a bridge, what I really liked was the thought that life could be almost anywhere, I really didn't expect crawfish under a bridge, I managed to spot like three in the short time we spent there, they were so well camouflaged. The Student Congress was pretty cool, we got to see an owl and a red tail hawk, I believe? It was amazing, I learned more about our quarry and some fossils that were found there, my favorite memory was the greenhouse on the university where the whole event was hosted, I got to try some maple sap that was harvested in that very campus.”

Andres Dolores, sophomore at Thornwood High School

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“I really enjoyed my time at the River Congress. I was granted the honor of being able to host a workshop at the congress about water filtering and I loved discussing the topic with others. The other workshops were also really interesting. My favorite workshop was about anatomy and it was really engaging because we were able to construct a model skeleton. I'm excited about the senior IB river trip this fall and look forward to researching the river up close.”

Danielle Moore, senior at Thornwood High School

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“The CRSN has transformed the way our students experience science. What began as a field trip has grown into a cornerstone of our IB science program. Students become citizen scientists as they investigate local issues like combined sewer overflows and our nearby Thornton Reservoir while connecting their findings to global challenges such as climate change. The Network's support - from transportation grants, teacher professional development, classroom resources, and the Student Congress - has made authentic, place-based environmental science possible for our students.”

Mary Doornbos, teacher at Thornwood High School

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"The CRSN field study is always the highlight of our school year. The trip is the perfect combination of deep learning through data collection and analysis and pure joy of being together out in nature. Students are laughing, asking questions, doing science, observing, wondering and enjoying time away from their screens. The experience helps students see our city as an ecosystem worth exploring and protecting."

Greta Kringle, teacher at Solorio Academy

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“CRSN brought the tools and expertise that made science tangible and meaningful. The Chicago River field trips have had a lasting impression on my students that I would not have been able to do on my own. I’m incredibly grateful for the partnership between my school and CRSN — and the opportunity for my students at Back of the Yards to develop a strong sense of environmental stewardship while doing real science in their own communities.”

John Engelbreit, teacher at Back of the Yards College Prep High School

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All are welcome to add photos, artwork, stories, quotes, video and music celebrating the Chicago-Calumet River Schools Network.