#citizensciencelab

[riverambassadors]

Last week, our River Ambassadors tried to stay cool and gave lab programs about Mighty Mussels! It was hot, so unfortunately we had to postpone our Storm Drain Labeling event until the following week. 

However, we still got to go to Bartram’s Garden! We took a tour around one of Philadelphia’s Water Pollution Treatment Plant. When we arrived back at Bartram’s we were rained out, so everyone enjoyed pizza and water ice! After lunch, we discussed the relation between Bartram’s Garden and the treatment plant. Despite the rain, the River Ambassadors were in great spirits and made the most of the trip!

“Last week was our trip to Bartram’s Garden which was a wet one, literally. To start of our day we took a tour of a water refinery factory thing. The day started off smelling like well not good and at the end the smell got better. Throughout the tour, we were told what the water had to got through to get to clean. After the tour we went back to Bartram’s for lunch where we were hoping to go on the water but the rain was just a lot and it messed up our hopes of getting into the water. But all in all it was an okay fun day.” Romeo

Last week was our trip to Bartram’s Garden which was a wet one literally. To start of our day we took a tour of a water refinery factory thing. The started off smelling like well not good and at the end the smell got better. Throughout the door we were told what the water had to got through to get to clean. After the tour we went back to Bartram’s for lunch where we were hoping to go on the water but the rain was just a lot and it messed up our hopes of getting into the water. But all in all it was an okay fun day. “During our trip to Bartram's Garden, while waiting to board our bus. Jaden and I spotted an unusual thing. At first, we thought we just discovered a new species that can levitate without wings and would become famous for our discovery. But like all wonders it was dropped because it was just a stem of a plant hanging from a spider's web. Later in the day we went to a Water Pollution Treatment Plant, which had an unique sense of smell.” Isaiah

“Last week we learned a new lab called ‘Cloning Bacteria’ in which we talk to the public about the pros and cons of bacteria. And the public can look at some bacteria that had grown from our samples. Then, they even get the chance to create their own bacteria. We also cleaned and measured our mussels that live in our river near the dock. I got dirty but it was worth it because our mussels are safe and clean.” Kennedy

[riverambassadors]

At the beginning of the week, the River Ambassadors visited John Heinz National Wildlife Refuge at Tinicum. They helped aid the John Heinz AWE Fellow survey for mussels in the marsh. Unfortunately, they were not able to find any mussels, but they got to wear cool waders!

“Last week we went on our very first trip of the summer to John Heinz. Unexpectedly, this trip was very hands on. All of us got chest deep in river water in hopes of surveying mussels that inhabited the river. Although it was disgusting, I had gotten drenched, and we didn’t catch any mussels, overall I would say the experience was very pleasant. It was my first time ever doing something like that, and honestly I could say that I would do it again.” Kadidia

Two days after John Heinz, the River Ambassadors took  to Camden, New Jersey for their field trip to the Aquarium! 

“We got to experience how it feels to be behind the scenes at an Aquarium. My favorite part was getting to see the sharks. I learned that sharks actually don’t think humans taste good because of all the things we put on our body like soap and perfume.” Germilus

“This week, we have visited the aquarium in New Jersey! It was very fun. We were able to visit the top of the tank and learn about the different creatures. We were also able to learn how the tank works!” Taniyah

[riverambassadors]

This past week, our River Ambassadors started their first full week of lab programs, and mussel and wetland maintenance! Each day, Ambassadors lead lab programs on Aquatic Acidification and Classy Plankton. As well as lab programs, Ambassadors also perform daily water testing on the Delaware River to help educate the public on the quality of our water. This week especially, Ambassadors took care of our own mussels and floating wetlands. 

Here are some of their personal experiences this week:

“Last week we did wetland maintenance. For us to do Wetland maintenance, we have to get into kayaks and check to see if there’s anything on our wetlands. I almost tipped over when I got a Milk crate out of the river, but I’m glad I didn’t tip over. Then, I saw a duck that was sitting in one of our wetlands that started swimming off when it saw my kayak. Overall, I had fun cleaning up the river, wetlands, and I am excited to do it again.” Nevaeh

Our little duck friend!

Kayaking to the floating wetlands!

Germilus found lots of balloon trash!

Kimorae and Roxan opted for Row Boats instead of kayaks for trash pick up. 

Ambassadors Nevaeh and Bryanna posing during a walk around the gardens at Independence Hall. River Ambassadors are participating in an iNaturalist project about the biodiversity in Philadelphia! 

Ambassadors also have the opportunity to create a DIY bat box. Once finished, the bat box will be placed on the roof of ISM and hopefully home some bats next summer!

“In this picture we were testing the water, which is a way to know if the water is progressing to be healthy, or if it is not improving at all. We test the water every day. Its something really fun to do because we get to use small tubes, we put small pills in and then we get to see the tubes changing colors. The different colors tell us if the water in in good condition. Its also really fun to do because we all get to do something different everyday.” Heiley

[micro-macro-scopic]

Microscopic view of a dry leaf.

[tommjohnson]

Dr. Andre Samuel

 As I’ve previously mentioned what inspired Pittsburgh Stories was a lecture by mayor Bill Peduto. He noted that Pittsburgh’s resurgence was due in large part to individual accomplishments, i.e. stories, of many Pittsburghers who created businesses and institutions that ultimately improved the lives of the city’s citizens and helped make Pittsburgh the most livable city in the America.  There is no better example than of Dr. Andre Samuel of Citizen Science Lab.  While working on his PhD in Biology at Duquesne University, on his own, he founded the mentoring program, S.I.G.M.A. Science Mentorship Initiative, to expose African-American kids to the sciences.  Eventually the success of the program drew the attention of Dr. Alan Seadler, who helped Dr. Samuel fund and market the program, which eventually evolved into The Citizen Science Lab.

The Lab, housed in the Energy Innovation Center building in the lower Hill District, offers programs from DNA testing to Aquatic Robotics with the goal to encourage Pittsburgh’s diverse youth to enter the fields of science and technology. Dr. Samuel’s ultimate goal is to create greater opportunity for his students and have the Citizen Science Lab be an employment conduit into Pittsburgh’s vast, growing, and avant-garde tech and healthcare industries…  When Dr. Samuel is not mentoring students you might find him navigating one of Pittsburgh’s many marvelous bike paths or climbing a rock wall in Point Breeze.