For this project, CY Ripples connected with youth in identified communities within York Region, providing them with a unique opportunity to participate in citizen science activities (precipitation measurements, water sample testing and data processing) and to be engaged in watershed monitoring related workshops.

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FIELD TRAINING

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We have  contacted watershed scientists who can provide field training for participants in this project. This training involved learning how to use water sampling kits and took place in the Toronto and Region Conservation Authority’s Training Centre at Lake St George. This 2-3 hour training was run on September 22nd and was well received among all participants. 

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WATER SAMPLING​

After participants completed the field training, they were divided into 5 groups, with 3-4 people per group. Each group covered 3-4 sampling locations and conducted water sampling on the final Sunday of each month from September to March, except when the water is frozen in the winter months and samples cannot be taken. A sampling kit was provided to each group. The testing results were submitted digitally to Water Rangers.

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INSTALLING PRECIPITATION GAUGES​

8 precipitation gauges were distributed to 8 individuals with dispersed locations so as to not collect recurrent data. Those provided with gauges installed these gauges in their backyards and performed daily readings and recordings of the precipitation (rain and snow) measurements and submitted the data digitally to CoCoRaHS. The image to the left is a precipitation gauge - precipitation accumulates within the gauge and the role of participants is to read the level to which it has been accumulated.

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WORKSHOPS​

November 2024’s workshop featured guest speaker Laura Benakoun, a senior surface water scientist with the province, as well as our very own youth teams who presented about their experiences with water sampling over the course of the months.

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The March 2025 workshop will feature TRCA senior scientists focusing on the Rouge River Watershed Plan. Additionally, our CY Ripples youth group will be sharing their own field experiences and analysis of water quality sampling results and precipitation measurements. 

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Data Analysis & Visualization

We are creating a dashboard to display the data that has been collected by participants on our website. For participants who like to be challenged, we have arranged for them to perform further analysis on data that has been collected. 

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Outreach and Collaboration

Three FIRST LEGO LEAGUE (FLL) robotics teams reached out to our team to learn about our water sampling techniques and devices as inspiration for their robotics competition, which focused on innovations for water pollution protection. Through this collaboration, we shared our expertise and highlighted the importance and challenges of real-world environmental data collection. By applying the knowledge gained from our methods, all three teams successfully incorporated these ideas into their projects and finished on the podium in the competition. 

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This initiative reflects our commitment to community education and collaboration, demonstrating how hands-on learning can drive innovation. Through our Citizen Science Climate Change & Watershed Science Action Program, we continue to engage diverse groups — including students, robotics teams, and environmental enthusiasts — in meaningful scientific exploration, empowering them to contribute to climate resilience and watershed protection.