During the River Institute experience, participants will:

• Hear from expert presenters about the Mississippi River environments.

• Explore the Mississippi River by land at Crosby Farm Regional Park and Ft Snelling State Park.

• Explore the Mississippi River aboard the Magnolia Blossom Paddleboat to experience unique vantage points of the water and surrounding watershed.

• Tour the MetCouncil wastewater treatment plant.

• Make scientific observations in the field and learn strategies to use science notebooks in the classroom.

• Conduct inquiry-based science investigations and design solutions to engineering challenges based on water issues.

• Share strategies to help  students 'think like a scientist,' 'design like an engineer,' and 'write like an author.'

• Participate in break-out discussions to make new learning relevant to students. 

• Participate in learning activities utilizing rich multimedia learning tools such as Waters to the Sea® and the Adopt-a-Drain Program.

We are happy to announce an additional focus this year on the "built" water cycle vs the natural water cycle!  This includes storm water, drinking water, and wastewater! In addition to exploring the Mississippi River from a paddle boat, from Crosby Farm Regional Park, and from Ft Snelling State Park, we will be exploring the Mississippi River from the perspective of a wastewater treatment plant. Our institute will include a full-tour of a MetCouncil wastewater treatment plant as well as new curriculum designed to teacher students about the "built" water cycle.

All K-12 formal and informal teachers are welcome to apply!

The 2024 Mississippi River Institute is funded through the generous financial assistance of our donors. With their ongoing support we enable hundreds of teachers to improve the way they understand and teach science, and help thousands of students connect with the natural world.