Rio Research Roundup Course (Free)

Description

This course offers a unique opportunity to explore Rio Grande River education through real-world scientific engagement. Students will investigate the environmental impact on rivers and streams in the Rio Grande–Río Bravo Basin using online resources and hands-on field research focused on water quality. This dynamic learning experience fosters both scientific inquiry and cross-cultural understanding.

The course highlights the award-winning Rio Research Roundup, a binational water testing initiative established in 2010. Each year, this program engages approximately 1,000 students from communities throughout the Rio Grande Basin—from southern Colorado, New Mexico, and Texas to the Mexican states of Chihuahua, Durango, Coahuila, Nuevo León, and Tamaulipas.

Spanning 1,901 miles—1,255 of which form the U.S.–Mexico border—the Rio Grande–Río Bravo serves as a living laboratory for binational learning.

The Permanent Forum of Binational Waters and the Rio Grande International Study Center launched the online course titled Rio Research Roundup, a free program designed to teach participants how to measure water quality in the Rio Grande/Río Bravo Basin.

Using scientific water testing methods, participants engage in a flexible, asynchronous online format with no fixed class schedule.

As part of the course, participants may join teacher-led teams to collect water samples from the river or its tributaries. They also share their findings creatively through short videos, artwork, and human stories based on their field data and observations.

This immersive approach not only deepens students’ understanding of water science but also strengthens their connection to the ecosystems and communities within the basin.

The Rio Research Roundup empowers youth voices while promoting awareness of shared environmental challenges and the importance of collaboration.

By participating in this course, learners gain practical research skills, a broader ecological perspective, and a deeper appreciation of the unique geography and diversity of the Rio Grande–Río Bravo watershed.

Whether you’re a student, educator, or environmental advocate, this is a powerful entry point into Rio Grande River education that blends science, storytelling, and stewardship.