RiverQuest has been selected to receive a 2013 Governor's Award  for Environmental Excellence.

Among 15 other Pennsylvania projects that encourage and promote environmental stewardship, RiverQuest is recognized this year for the "Exploring the Marcellus Shale" Outreach Program.  Launched during the 2011-12 school year, the program uses a variety of hands-on activities, images and group discussion to help tell the story of the Marcellus Shale, and the basic science behind hydraulic fracturing of shale to extract natural gas.

As an informational and educational program, the content includes both the pros and cons of the topic, from the environmental to the economic. The session aims to provide or enhance participants' knowledge of the topic so that they can better understand what they read and hear about Marcellus Shale drilling, and to fashion more informed opinions.  The program was developed with support from Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection and EQT Foundation.  For more information about RiverQuest School-Site/ Outreach Programs, click here.

RiverQuest will present RiverFest, our first annual event celebrating excellence in science education on Saturday, July 13, 2013.  Hosted by the Fox Chapel Yacht Club & Marina, the event will feature the RiverQuest Awards. 

Teachers can nominate students who meet criteria related to academic progess and environmental stewardship to receive an award in one of three categories based on grade level. Click here for more information on Student Awards.  Several school teachers nominated and chosen by RiverQuest's education staff will also be honored for their dedication to experiential learning.  Learn more about RiverFest by clicking here.

SCHOOL PROGRAMS

RiverQuest registration for 2013-14 is open! Claim your date on EXPLORER for one of our signature programs, Environmental Science on the Three Rivers, and Marcellus Shale & River Ecosystems. Little known fact: October and November are great months to sail.

OUTREACH PROGRAMS

RQ comes to YOU! RiverQuest's award-winning Exploring Marcellus Shale outreach program for all ages continues through June,  while our regular traveling presentations on river-related topics for grades K-5 are available all year.  Call 412-231-2712 to register.

NAUTICAL GIRL SCOUT PATCH PROGRAMS

Girls can earn a patch by participating in one or both of the programs Rivers of Life and Nautical Road -- Saturday April 27 and Saturday June 15, grades 4 - 8. Sponsored by the Port of Pittsburgh Commission.  Register online through the Girl Scouts website.

SUMMER CAMPS

Get on board with RiverQuest summer camps this summer. This year's camps include two of our most popular camp offerings, Angler's Adventure and River Camp with CSC:

• Angler's Adventure - June 17-21, 2013 - ages 7 - 12
• River Camp with Carnegie Science Center - July 8-12, 2013 - ages 8 - 12

For complete information on how to register for camps, click here or call 412-231-2712.

RiverQuest is pleased to acknowledge LANXESS for its generous support of RiverQuest School Programs.

 

LANXESS is a leader in specialty chemicals and operates in all important global markets. With its extensive portfolio, it focuses on premium business. Its core business comprises the development, manufacture and sale of plastics, rubber, specialty chemicals and intermediates. LANXESS also brings color into the world of plastics and special applications which requires a carefully matched line of colorants. It supplies a comprehensive range of products which includes dyes, pigments and pigment preparations.

In all its activities around the world, LANXESS subscribes to the principle of sustainable development: Sustainability is the basis of every action at LANXESS, and we consider environmental compatibility and social responsibility to be of equal importance.

With the support of LANXESS and other community partners, RiverQuest is on track to serve 8,000 students on board this school year. On behalf of those 8,000 students climbing aboard EXPLORER: Thank you!