Young Scientists Dive Into the Neponset

NepRWA science and education staff recently welcomed Boston middle school students from the KeySteps Summer Science Program for a two-day, hands-on learning experience exploring the Neponset River Watershed.

KeySteps is a nonprofit that supports at-risk students from Boston Public Schools and provides academic enrichment programs with a focus on science. Students in grades 6–8 kicked off their week with a visit to NepRWA’s site in Canton, where they got their feet wet—literally and figuratively.

Wearing waders and equipped with sample nets, students collected and analyzed water from Ponkapoag Brook in Canton, searched for aquatic macroinvertebrates, and set out on a plant and animal scavenger hunt at Ponkapoag Pond. A live snake sighting during the hunt was a crowd favorite!

The next day, NepRWA staff joined the group at a UMass Boston biology lab, where students examined their macroinvertebrate samples under microscopes and carefully sketched and identified what they found. A special visit from Dr. Carol Thornber, Dean of the School for the Environment, made the day even more memorable as she admired their drawings and spoke briefly with the students.

We’re incredibly grateful to Bette O’Gara, director of the KeySteps program, for inviting us to be part of this inspiring initiative. The students’ curiosity, energy, and love of discovery reminded us why we do this work—and gave us hope for the next generation of watershed stewards.

For any questions about NepRWA’s youth summer programs, please email Outreach and Communications Director, Nancy Fyler, at fyler@neponset.org