Designed by Richard Clark, TIC teacher, for the NYC and NYC Watersheds Trout in the Classroom program.

Made possible with funds from the Catskill Watershed Corporation in partnership with New York City Department of Environmental Protection

Using Lab Quest to Monitor Aquarium Environment

Objective:  The students will learn how to use Lab Quest and Vernier probes to measure Temp; pH; DO₂; and Nitrate levels in the aquarium.  As well, they will learn to use logger pro to download this information into a computer and keep a data table of each of these parameters.

Background: They will come to appreciate the narrow ranges of tolerance that trout eggs need and that we need to keep the NYC Water Supply pristine not only for trout, but also for ourselves.

Materials: Lab Quest; Vernier probes; Logger Pro; Computer.

Procedure: Every week, teams of three will monitor the water quality using these probes; they will also replace 1/3 of the water with spring water.

Wrap-up: Trout will be released in the Pocantico River, Rockefeller State Park in the spring.  Classroom values can be compared to the stream parameters.