High School Students Dive Into Environmental Science

October 21, 2025| Education, Environment

By: Patrick Krudop

This fall marked the second year of our environmental field trip program for high school students, and what a season it was! Over the course of seven field trip days from mid-September through early October, we welcomed 224 students from six schools across three different counties to join us for hands-on learning experiences at Hopatcong State Park and aboard our Floating Classroom.

Building on the success of last year’s inaugural program, this year’s sessions continued to offer students in grades 9 through 12 the opportunity to explore the ecological and historical significance of Lake Hopatcong and the Musconetcong River. Students conducted real-world water quality assessments, measuring pH, temperature, dissolved oxygen, nitrates, water clarity, and even sampled macroinvertebrates!

Througout the day, students rotated between activities at the Musconetcong River and aboard our Floating Classroom. Guided by our team of educators, they conducted water quality monitoring and connected each measurement and discovery through scenario planning to understand broader environmental systems that shape our watershed.

The enthusiasm and appreciation from our participating schools spoke volumes. “You’re doing a fantastic job! We love this trip!” shared Roxbury High School, while Belvidere High School remarked, “Overall, everyone was fantastic—knowledgeable, engaging, and enthusiastic. It was a great experience!”

We are deeply grateful to the Alice C. Tyler Perpetual Trust, BASF, First Energy Foundation, Lake Hopatcong Elks #782, Mimi Washington Starrett Foundation, Princeton Hydro, and The James P. Verhalen Foundation for their continued generous support, which makes this program, and the inspiration it provides, possible. We’d also like to thank Hopatcong State Park for their continued support in all our educational efforts.

With another successful year completed, we’re proud to see our high school field trip program becoming a tradition that connects students to their local environment, inspires curiosity, and fosters the next generation of environmental stewards.

Support for our 2025 Fall Field Trips was provided by