Precision Labs has always been a supporter of educational programs and opportunities for students to gain experience, especially in science! When we met up with the Verde NRCD Ed Center and learned about their free agricultural and water programs, we wanted to get involved.

Arizona has 32 Natural Resource Conservation Districts (NRCD) administered by the State Land Department. The NRCD sponsors 23 education centers whose purpose is “to promote a scientifically sound, balanced appreciation and awareness of Arizona’s environment and the wise management of all natural resources.”

NRCD education centers provide statewide delivery of environmental education programs, classroom programs, and continuing education credits for educators.

Precision’s water quality test strips are used in the Verde Ed Center’s free Properties of Water program for 8th grade students. Students evaluate how the health and quality of a river affects all water users, including human, agriculture, animal and industry.

The students test tap water in the classroom, perform onsite water evaluations at the local Waste Water Treatment Plant, and evaluate river health at Red Rock State Park in Sedona.

This is the 3rd year for the Properties of Water program, and this year, they educated 540 students from 18 different classrooms!

Properties of Water Program, water treatment, water quality, test strips, supporting local education
Students test several parameters, including:

We were lucky enough to join a group of students at the Cottonwood Waste Water Treatment Plant this fall to learn about how our waste water is processed. The smell was less than pleasant, but we were able to see the students actively learning using our test strips in their activities. They ended the day at Red Rock State Park where they put all of their data together to analyze the waters in our local community.

We are thankful for programs like those provided by the Verde NRCD Ed Center, and we are happy to help the cause. Check out the video below to see the students in action testing water at the Waste Water Treatment Plant.