Students study sciences at Vantine Brook

MILFORD - Delaware Valley High School students in Honors Biology and Honors Chemistry, which are part of the Math/Science Honors program last week made a bi-annualtrip to the Vantine Brook. The Vantine is located in Milford and for this particular ongoing study three sites are selected near the entrance to Grey Towers on US Forest Service land. Students on this trip collect chemical data, which includes: dissolved oxygen, nitrates, phosphates, pH, and alkalinity. This type of data gives the students an idea of what is happening at the stream on that particular day. For more of a long-term picture, students collect macro invertebrates. This consists of using kick nets to collect insects from the stream. This gives the students more of an extended view of the stream’s conditions because the insects live their lives in the water and any disturbance over time would be seen in a change in the types and quantities of insects. Students also collect data on the physical features of stream, which include weather for the day, air and water temperature and calculations for average flow rate, or how much water is traveling down the stream. Flow rate is calculated using the average depth, width, and velocity. On October 14, 2005 the current class of Honors Biology students went to the brook for this ongoing study. The 9th grade students were accompanied this year by Mr. Nebzydoski and Mr. Devizia. Current data still suggests that this stream is clean and free of pollution. The next trip for the honors biology students is scheduled for spring 2006.