Water testing with Kesgrave High School

Following a Deben Water quality presentation and some practical work before Christmas, DCC volunteers, Dave Green and David Findley, joined a field trip in Martlesham for Kesgrave High School Year 13 Environmental Science students on a damp Thursday 15th January. Led by their teacher, Alison Huggett, students walked the river and tidal area around Martlesham and took water samples at 4 sampling locations including Red Lion Bridge and Martlesham Creek STW; they also sampled a small stream, which rises near the school, in Run Meadow close to where joins the River Fynn.

Returning to the school environmental science lab, our volunteers showed students how to test for E.coli, phosphate and nitrate. Working in groups of three, each student conducted tests on a range of samples including those from the Martlesham Creek outfall.  It was a memorable return to the school for Dave Green, who taught physics there for 10 years before he retired and started the Martlesham Climate Action Group.

Commenting on the field trip, Alison Huggett, Head of Environmental Sciences, said “It was fantastic to work with the Deben Climate Centre and give our Year 13 students the chance to carry out fieldwork along the river in Martlesham. Opportunities like this are incredibly valuable, as they allow us to investigate local environmental issues first hand while linking directly to their A Level studies. The students gained experience in sampling techniques and saw how environmental challenges, such as water quality, are monitored within their own community. We’re very grateful for the support and look forward to future collaboration.”