Big Creek Connects welcomes Lakewood High School students: A Place in the Sun

BROOKLYN, Ohio - When Big Creek Connects isn't hosting clean-up events, the nonprofit can be found edifying the public about local urban watersheds.

This includes inviting Northeast Ohio high school students to participate in a stream monitoring program in Brooklyn's Big Creek.

The most recent educational opportunity took place late last month when 62 Lakewood High School students visited the area.

"Funded annually by the GM Foundation, the stream monitoring program introduces students to watershed stewardship and the application of science, technology and engineeringwith professionals on-site," said Big Creek Connects Executive Director Bob Gardin, who noted 18 Berea-Midpark High School students were also present.

"It combines monitoring of the chemical, biological and physical characteristics of the east and west branches of Big Creek, a tributary of the Cuyahoga River, with site tours examining the natural and man-made environments within Cleveland Metroparks' Big Creek Reservation."

During the site tours, students learned about the environment beyond the stream and how infrastructure - like buildings, roads and parking lots - contribute to the runoff entering streams.

The students studied the stream's chemical parameters, such as pH, dissolved oxygen, nitrates, phosphates and turbidity.

Lakewood High School AP Environmental Science Rita Chahda-Gonzalez said the experience was powerful for her students.

"One student said that seeing macroinvertebrates alive and counting them gave her a real understanding about the health of the creek," she said.

"Another said about the watershed simulation that the physical representation and seeing how simulated oil, salt, pesticides and herbicides can get into our lake so fast after it rains was such a shock to the kids, and real fun. They came back and were making true connections to what we are currently learning in class."

North Olmsted Trick or Treating event: North Olmsted is once against hosting a Trick or Treating event from 12;30 p.m. to 1:30 p.m. Oct. 25 at City Hall.

The free affair for kids 5 and under requires registration via email.

In addition, the city's Trick or Treating takes place from 6 to 8 p.m. Oct. 31 around the community.

Those participating should turn on their outside lights.

Lakewood Listen & Learn: Lakewood City Schools SuperintendentMaggie Niedzwiecki is hosting her first Listen & Learn session of the school year from 6 to 7 p.m. on Oct. 17 at Lakewood High School's Ranger Café.

The public is invited to share their thoughts, ideas and concerns about the district.

Treasurer Kent Zeman will join the superintendent to provide a brief financial update.

The sessions are informal one-hour discussions and community members may drop in any time during the hour.

Information, please:Readers are invited to share information about themselves, their families and friends, organizations, church events, etc. in Fairview Park, Lakewood, North Olmsted, Olmsted Falls, Olmsted Township and West Park for the A Place in the Sun column, which I write on a freelance basis. Awards, honors, milestone birthdays or anniversaries and other items are welcome. Submit information at least 10 days before the requested publication date to