Fox Cities News

Maddie Murphy, from the Chicagoland area, plans to study environmental science after finishing high school.

Young people interested in freshwater resources had a virtual “laboratory” of options to explore this month on Lake Winnebago and the Fox River, near the University of Wisconsin Oshkosh (UWO).

Freshwater camp participants took samples of water from the Fox River from a pontoon piloted by Greg Kleinheinz, UWO engineering and engineering technology director.

The first class in a new program offered in partnership with Freshwater Collaborative of Wisconsin was based at UWO’s Environmental Research Innovation Center. About 20 high school students from Wisconsin and Illinois spent three days in the residential camp conducting hands-on research, studying algae and bacteria, exploring waterways on a pontoon boat, and learning about freshwater college majors and careers.

“This helps me be a little more sure about what I want to do,” said Maddie Murphy, who plans to study environmental engineering in college.

Another student from Illinois expressed interest in working for a company focused on water on either of the U.S. coasts or possibly Lake Michigan. He felt the camp provided better insight into his potential college studies.

Greg Kleinheinz, chair of the department of engineering and engineering technology, stated that the goal was to introduce teens to various aspects of freshwater science and engineering while providing an opportunity to explore UWO programs that may lead to diverse careers.

The camp is the first offered and was funded by the Freshwater Collaborative of Wisconsin through a grant to UW Oshkosh.

High school students received lessons from UWO professors as part of the Freshwater Collaborative’s high school experience residential camp.

“In Wisconsin we have 15,000 lakes, major river systems, and border two Great Lakes,” Kleinheinz said. “Water is integral to our culture and economy in so many ways. High school students don’t know what they don’t know regarding opportunities for careers in fields from biology, conservation, electrical engineering, environmental engineering, policy, groundwater etc. We hope this program allowed students to explore various academic programs that will lead to careers in everything from water technology development, electrical sensors, drinking water treatment, conservation policy water remediation and more.”

The cohort came from schools in Wisconsin and Illinois and became fast friends as they learned during the day and enjoyed evening activities in residence halls and within the community.

Shawano High School student Ayden Berquist checked water samples from the Fox River.

Several upper-level UWO students served as camp counselors staying with students throughout their day-to-day activities at their residence hall.

One counselor Josh Dyer majoring in biology with a minor in astronomy has plans for graduate studies. Dyer noted that campers seemed much farther along with their academic career plans than he was at their age.

“They are definitely a group of very bright kids,” he said. “They like science and figuring things out.”

Lisa Koeppen outreach coordinator for the engineering department mentioned that interest generated by freshwater camps led them filling up quickly with plans being made for increased capacity next year onwards

“Because of our location diversity academic programs ERIC Lab UWO uniquely positioned help students fill these talent needs for Wisconsin,” Kleinheinz said

Kleinheinz added that clean fresh water is considered gold 21st century noting many opportunities available future professionals within sector both locally globally

Learn more:

UW Oshkosh Environmental Research Innovation Center