READ THE SCRIPT:
Speaking of inspiration, this week’s NewsDepth A Plus goes to a few of you who were inspired by a different story we brought you earlier in the season.
Remember the young environmental activist we told you about - Greta Thunberg?
Well, Elise Apewokin and Hansika Vadakapurapu from Mason Elementary in Mason were inspired by watching Greta on NewsDepth and wondered what they could do to help right here in Ohio.
They decided to research water pollution, and learned the Ohio River, which runs along the southern border of our state, is one of the most polluted rivers in the country. Yikes!
Elise and Hansika contacted the Ohio River Foundation and helped their class become part of a program called Mussels in the Classroom. Mussels are a type of mollusk that have brown or black shells.
Mollusks are animals that have soft bodies, no spine and usually have an external shell. They live in damp areas or underwater water - think snails, slugs and octopuses.
Mussels in particular live underwater and act as a natural water filter, keeping dangerous bacteria out of the water.
Through the Mussels in the Classroom program, students observed a tank of five mussels in their class for two weeks. They created dioramas and even presented a skit about it.
Elise said she was inspired to research clean water because, “I’ve always been fascinated with water, and even as a kid I would want to swim in lakes that I wasn’t allowed to!”
And Hansika said her favorite part of the project was looking at pictures of the mussels and what they look like on the inside.
Both Elise and Hansika hope to continue learning and volunteering by participating in river clean-up activities and tree plantings this spring.
Great work, Elise, Hansika, and your entire class! Sounds like you have quite the future as clean water activists. We’re excited to award you this week’s NewsDepth A Plus.