Students who take the earth and space science class at Octorara Junior-Senior High School now have an opportunity to become Stewards of the Octoraro Watershed as part of a new program developed by science teacher Amanda Kieffer, with help from members of the Octoraro Watershed Association (OWA).

Kieffer said the activity is part of an effort to get students involved in hands-on learning to supplement what is taught in the classroom.

"I taught middle school for 26 years, and I just officially transferred in December to the high school and wanted to do something more than just in the classroom," said Kieffer. "I had known that the OWA is an active group and (I decided), let's make (the students) stewards of the watershed and get more involved. I reached out to (the OWA) and said I wanted to create some sort of partnership. It's a new endeavor for all of us. I was certain (they) were people who will take us under their wing."

Stewards of the Octoraro Watershed is open to all students in grades 10 to 12 who take the earth and space science class as an elective. "We are in the infancy and blossoming stages," said Kieffer. "It's open to all my classes, about 60 to 70 kids. Right now, we do everything as part of our class. I am looking toward next year as being more robust."

The first activity of the newly formed group was to take part in the fourth annual OWA Photography Contest. As part of the event, participants were asked to submit photos taken in the watershed area, which includes 208 square miles in southern Chester and Lancaster counties, as well as Cecil County, Md. The contest included four categories for youths and adults: Wildlife, Landscapes, Trailcam and Agriculture. In the past, the contest was digital, but for the past two years entrants were asked to submit hard copies of framed and matted photos.

"We hosted Chotty Sprenkle (OWA president) and Mary Kay Phillips (OWA director) to come into the classroom as an outreach," Kieffer explained. "My students wanted to participate in the contest, and they sent me their photos. I sent them to the photography teacher, and he printed them and matted them."

Five students from Octorara placed in the contest. In the youth Wildlife division, Nick Kostyk of Cochranville won third place. Winners in the youth Landscapes division were all from Octorara, including Elizabeth Novak of Atglen, first place; Kelly Dolan of Cochranville, second place; and Jaymes Cross of Atglen, third place. In the youth Agriculture division, Abby Fleming of Parkesburg won first place.

The winning photos were displayed at the high school for a week. "I was astounded at some of the beauty of their artwork. They were so excited," said Kieffer, noting that students not involved with the class also expressed an interest in the contest. "Seeing the photos inspired the kids. Other kids want to do it next year."

All of the contest photos will be on exhibit at the Atglen Public Library, 121 Main St., Atglen, through Wednesday, May 1. The exhibit will then be featured at the Oxford Library Company and then the Quarryville Library.

Next up for the Octorara students and the OWA is the eighth annual Octoraro Reservoir cleanup set for Saturday, April 27, from 9 a.m. to noon. The community is also welcome to participate. The group will meet in the parking lot of Jim Neary's Bait and Tackle, 212 Spruce Grove Road, Kirkwood. To learn more and to register, visit http://www.theowa.net/upcoming-events.

Future plans call for the Stewards of the Octoraro Watershed to take part in stream studies. "The goal is to get the kids to do work in the watershed, doing water quality and water (testing) and be more active and involved," noted Kieffer. "My (original) thought was of going to the Chesapeake Bay and I thought, 'We have a watershed that we are part of. We need to get kids to protect what is in their backyard.'"