The Traveling HAB Lab: Empowering Citizen Scientists to Protect New Jersey’s Water Resources

Authors

Meiyin Wu, Montclair State UniversityFollow
Tsung Ta David Hsu, Montclair State UniversityFollow
Alessandra Rossi, Montclair State UniversityFollow
Anne HurleyFollow
Colleen Potocki, Montclair State UniversityFollow

Document Type

Conference Proceeding

Publication Date

2022

Abstract

New Jersey has seen significant increases in cyanobacterial harmful algal blooms (HAB) that produce cyanotoxins, which can be dangerous for humans, pets, livestock, and wildlife. As New Jersey encompasses roughly 1,900 lentic waterbodies, eight major river systems, two major estuaries and nearly 130 miles of coastline; government agencies are unable to effectively monitor all waterbodies across New Jersey. Hence, Montclair State University developed the Traveling HAB Lab to educate the general public to identify HABs and take actions to reduce water pollution and future blooms. The Traveling HAB Lab includes three components: a citizen science program, an education program, and a teacher training program. Community members in the citizen science program were equipped with necessary supplies and materials and trained to follow established standard operating procedures to perform HAB monitoring. These citizen scientists were also tasked to spread the message about HABs and their impacts with their fellow community members. For the teacher training program, education modules about water quality, harmful algal blooms, and water conservation were developed; all materials were designed to align with the New Jersey Student Learning Standards for Science. The education program provides students and community members with educational materials and discovery-based activities focusing on water quality and HAB. Educational programming both in classrooms and at outreach events gives students and community members an understanding of water quality issues in their immediate environments, help foster environmental stewardship and inspire them to take action in reducing water pollution and to control future blooms.

Comments

Abstract from the 12th U.S. Symposium on Harmful Algae

MSU Digital Commons Citation

Wu, Meiyin; Hsu, Tsung Ta David; Rossi, Alessandra; Hurley, Anne; and Potocki, Colleen, "The Traveling HAB Lab: Empowering Citizen Scientists to Protect New Jersey’s Water Resources" (2022). New Jersey Center for Water Science & Technology Presentations and Proceedings. 1.
https://digitalcommons.montclair.edu/waterscience_present/1

Published Citation

Wu, M., Potocki, C., Hurley, A., Rossi, A., & Hsu, T. T. D. (2024). Traveling HAB Lab: Empowering Citizen Scientists to Protect Water Resources. 12th U.S. Symposium on Harmful Algae. Portland, Maine.