Educational Outreach:
Inspiring Future Environmental Professionals
Schedule a Field Experience
Educational Outreach:
Inspiring Future Environmental Professionals
Inspiring Future Environmental Professionals
Fondriest scientists work with various local schools and programs to educate students about the environment and monitoring instruments used in the field. The scientists work with each group to provide a unique learning experience during each visit, catering to the needs of each group. The Fondriest Science Team can visit your group in the classroom, at the Fondriest Field Station (for more engaging learning), or in our office.
Fondriest welcomes anyone who is interested in learning more, to please submit a form using the following link and connect with Fondriest for a visit!
Explore more about the various educational events hosted by the Science Team below!
Fondriest welcomes anyone who is interested in learning more, to please submit a form using the following link and connect with Fondriest for a visit!
Explore more about the various educational events hosted by the Science Team below!
Educational topics include…
Using Monitoring Equipment
Impacts of Monitoring
Local Habitats and Biodiversity
Protecting and Restoring Ecosystems
Careers in Environmental Science
Using Monitoring Equipment
Impacts of Monitoring
Local Habitats and Biodiversity
Protecting and Restoring Ecosystems
Careers in Environmental Science
Fairborn High School STEAM Event
Fondriest Environmental and NexSens Technology representatives attended an event at a local high school (Fairborn High School) in the fall of 2023. The event focused on careers in STEM and opportunities available to students.
Local universities, businesses and other science, math and engineering-focused organizations set up booths for students to interact with and learn more about each group. Over 300 students rotated through the event, asking questions and learning about a future in STEM. Each student was tasked with getting stamps in their “passport” for interacting with each group.
Overall, the event was a success and many students were curious about the little buoy and other equipment that was brought by Fondriest/NexSens.
Local universities, businesses and other science, math and engineering-focused organizations set up booths for students to interact with and learn more about each group. Over 300 students rotated through the event, asking questions and learning about a future in STEM. Each student was tasked with getting stamps in their “passport” for interacting with each group.
Overall, the event was a success and many students were curious about the little buoy and other equipment that was brought by Fondriest/NexSens.
Fairborn High School
(Fall 2023)
(Fall 2023)
The environmental science class from Fairborn High School visited the Field Station in the fall of 2023. Three stations were set up for the students:
- Learn about the fauna and flora of Ohio, endangered species and restoration efforts
- Hands-on experience with environmental equipment
- Understanding real-time weather and water quality monitoring systems
The naturalist leader pointed out native plants and animals at the Field Station. They also explained the significance of restoration practices vital for the native species’ habitat, highlighting that non-native and invasive species will overtake an area if allowed.
The hands-on learning station included a Hach turbidity meter, a ProDSS multiparameter water quality meter, and an underwater camera. Students collected water samples from the pond and evaluated turbidity and clarity of the pond both visually and with the Hach meter. Seeing turbidity levels in person helped to explain the three main statuses of a body of water: oligotrophic, mesotrophic, and eutrophic. The water quality meter helped explain the need for water analysis and the crucial data that it can provide. The SondeCam camera allowed the students to see under the surface of the water. The Bluegills (Lepomis macrochirus) came right up to the camera!
While the students were visiting, they were shown current weather monitoring systems at the field station. The monitoring systems by the pond allowed the students to see that the weather monitoring system comprised multiple instruments communicating with a central data logger collecting long-term data. The science team explained the significance of long-term climate data and showed them the real-time data the instruments were collecting at that very moment.
Overall, the students will have an enriched knowledge of the various species of plants and animals, equipment used in the environmental field, and the importance of water analysis.
- Learn about the fauna and flora of Ohio, endangered species and restoration efforts
- Hands-on experience with environmental equipment
- Understanding real-time weather and water quality monitoring systems
The naturalist leader pointed out native plants and animals at the Field Station. They also explained the significance of restoration practices vital for the native species’ habitat, highlighting that non-native and invasive species will overtake an area if allowed.
The hands-on learning station included a Hach turbidity meter, a ProDSS multiparameter water quality meter, and an underwater camera. Students collected water samples from the pond and evaluated turbidity and clarity of the pond both visually and with the Hach meter. Seeing turbidity levels in person helped to explain the three main statuses of a body of water: oligotrophic, mesotrophic, and eutrophic. The water quality meter helped explain the need for water analysis and the crucial data that it can provide. The SondeCam camera allowed the students to see under the surface of the water. The Bluegills (Lepomis macrochirus) came right up to the camera!
While the students were visiting, they were shown current weather monitoring systems at the field station. The monitoring systems by the pond allowed the students to see that the weather monitoring system comprised multiple instruments communicating with a central data logger collecting long-term data. The science team explained the significance of long-term climate data and showed them the real-time data the instruments were collecting at that very moment.
Overall, the students will have an enriched knowledge of the various species of plants and animals, equipment used in the environmental field, and the importance of water analysis.
Fairborn High School
(Fall 2022)
(Fall 2022)
The environmental science class from Fairborn High School joined Fondriest in the fall of 2022 to gain more knowledge of the environmental field. The Science team and Naturalist team at Fondriest Environmental worked together to create a valuable learning experience for the class. The team constructed three stations for the young adults to visit at the field station. The students were broken into three groups, so they could have more personable experience with each station.
The first station was to learn about flora and fauna found at the field station. The team pointed out different native, non-native and invasive species found in Ohio, while also exploring different levels of endangered species. The students were able to ID some of the current plant species found at the field station while learning about the nearby ecosystem.
The second station was to introduce various water monitoring systems found out at the field station. They learned about the complete system setup on the shoreline, as well as the system set-up on the buoy. The shoreline system consisted of a pole mounted data logger with weather stations, a rain gauge, and a level sensor, and the buoy system consisted of a data logger, temperature string, multiparameter sonde, and turbidity sensor. The shoreline system is more focused on monitoring the weather out at the Field Station, while the buoy system monitors the water quality of the pond. The students were able to see the long-term data that has been collected over the year from both systems.
Finally, the third station provided students with a more hands on experience with various equipment that are used in the environmental field. They were able to experiment with a Hach meter to see turbidity measurements and see aquatic life in the pond through a SondeCam camera. The Hach meter was used to show the students spot sampling and different methods used to get accurate data. The students had fun with the SondeCam underwater camera and saw different fish and aquatic plants from under the surface.
Overall the students left with an enriched knowledge of different species of fauna and flora found in Ohio, and a small taste of what kind of instruments are used by professionals in the environmental field.
The first station was to learn about flora and fauna found at the field station. The team pointed out different native, non-native and invasive species found in Ohio, while also exploring different levels of endangered species. The students were able to ID some of the current plant species found at the field station while learning about the nearby ecosystem.
The second station was to introduce various water monitoring systems found out at the field station. They learned about the complete system setup on the shoreline, as well as the system set-up on the buoy. The shoreline system consisted of a pole mounted data logger with weather stations, a rain gauge, and a level sensor, and the buoy system consisted of a data logger, temperature string, multiparameter sonde, and turbidity sensor. The shoreline system is more focused on monitoring the weather out at the Field Station, while the buoy system monitors the water quality of the pond. The students were able to see the long-term data that has been collected over the year from both systems.
Finally, the third station provided students with a more hands on experience with various equipment that are used in the environmental field. They were able to experiment with a Hach meter to see turbidity measurements and see aquatic life in the pond through a SondeCam camera. The Hach meter was used to show the students spot sampling and different methods used to get accurate data. The students had fun with the SondeCam underwater camera and saw different fish and aquatic plants from under the surface.
Overall the students left with an enriched knowledge of different species of fauna and flora found in Ohio, and a small taste of what kind of instruments are used by professionals in the environmental field.
Miami Valley School
(Fall 2018)
(Fall 2018)
The science class from Miami Valley School visited Fondriest Environmental in the fall of 2018. During their stay, they were able to have some hands on experience with getting equipment ready for a long-term deployment. The students were taught the importance of antifouling accessories are for the longevity of instruments and how to apply them.
The students helped get the buoy system into the pond at the field station and secure it for long term data collection.It was explained to them that this type of buoy can be out in the field for months, but it is best to maintain it with regular cleaning. The class was able to see the real-time data being transmitted by the NexSens X2 Data Logger to the online database WQData LIVE.
Ultimately, the students went back to their school with a better grasp of the steps needed for long-term deployment, and a better understanding of water quality monitoring.
The students helped get the buoy system into the pond at the field station and secure it for long term data collection.It was explained to them that this type of buoy can be out in the field for months, but it is best to maintain it with regular cleaning. The class was able to see the real-time data being transmitted by the NexSens X2 Data Logger to the online database WQData LIVE.
Ultimately, the students went back to their school with a better grasp of the steps needed for long-term deployment, and a better understanding of water quality monitoring.
Greenon Schools
(Summer 2018)
(Summer 2018)
Greenon School students visited the Fondriest Environmental Field Station during the summer of 2018. They came to explore the different instruments used in the environmental field. The students were able to get some hands on experience with water analysis using a handheld sonde that measures multiple parameters at the same time.
The sonde provided ambient concentrations for the parameters at various depths. The water by the shoreline was not deep enough for the students to see the different layering of the of the pond water due to temperature; however, they did learn about stratification and the different types of layers are formed.
During their visit, they were able to spot the different species of plants growing around, and were shown the native and nonnative species in the area. One plant that everyone recognized was the Amur Honeysuckle (Lonicera maackii); however, some did not know that it was an invasive species.
Overall, the students departed with a greater comprehension of water analysis and the importance of rebuilding native species’ habitats.
The sonde provided ambient concentrations for the parameters at various depths. The water by the shoreline was not deep enough for the students to see the different layering of the of the pond water due to temperature; however, they did learn about stratification and the different types of layers are formed.
During their visit, they were able to spot the different species of plants growing around, and were shown the native and nonnative species in the area. One plant that everyone recognized was the Amur Honeysuckle (Lonicera maackii); however, some did not know that it was an invasive species.
Overall, the students departed with a greater comprehension of water analysis and the importance of rebuilding native species’ habitats.
K-3: Pollinator Activity
The students learned about bees and other native pollinators at the Fondriest Field Station. To help build a better understanding on the relationship between pollinators and plants, they did a bee hive activity. This activity helped show the students the variety of colors that flowers can bloom, and how each can attract pollinators in their unique way.
Topics on pollinators collecting pollen, symbiotic relationship between pollinators and plants, and how pollinators factors into ecosystem were shown visually to help the students understand the importance pollinators have to the environment.
The bee hive activity helped the students understand important life science concepts, and challenges the students in a fun and hands on way.
Topics on pollinators collecting pollen, symbiotic relationship between pollinators and plants, and how pollinators factors into ecosystem were shown visually to help the students understand the importance pollinators have to the environment.
The bee hive activity helped the students understand important life science concepts, and challenges the students in a fun and hands on way.
Come Visit Us!
We will accommodate your schedule and can work with up to 50 people at a time. We can help with training on equipment for environmental monitoring and instrument calibrations, school field trips, research projects, and more. Please contact us to see how we can assist you!
To get in touch with us and gather further information, you can click on the link below.
To get in touch with us and gather further information, you can click on the link below.
Come Visit Us!
We will accommodate your schedule and can work with up to 50 people at a time. We can help with training on equipment for environmental monitoring and instrument calibrations, school field trips, research projects, and more. Please contact us to see how we can assist you!
To get in touch with us and gather further information, you can click on the link below.
To get in touch with us and gather further information, you can click on the link below.
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