Saturday, October 31, 2026

Penn State Extension Hosts Dec. 7 What's In Your Drinking Water Glass? (Educators/ Students); Dec. 9 - Understanding Your PFAS 'Forever Chemicals' Water Test Results

The
Penn State Extension is hosting two new drinking water webinars on December 7- What's In Your Drinking Water Glass? For Educators and Students and December 9- Understanding Your PFAS 'Forever Chemicals' Water Test Results

December 7 - What's In Your Glass? (Educators/Students)

Explore Penn State Extension's hands-on drinking water curriculum and learn how to engage youth in water quality investigations, watershed science, and drinking water protection.

Through inquiry-based activities, students model watersheds, simulate runoff and pollutant movement, use water testing kits, interpret laboratory reports, and examine water quality indicators, including pH, nitrates, and total dissolved solids. 

These activities help students understand potential threats to drinking water and the role of science in protecting this vital resource.

The curriculum aligns with Pennsylvania's Science, Technology & Engineering, Environmental Literacy & Sustainability (STEELS) standards and supports the Chesapeake Bay Program's Meaningful Watershed Educational Experiences (MWEE) framework. 

Activities guide students in asking questions, collecting and analyzing data, and making evidence-based decisions about water resources in their communities. 

Participants will gain hands-on experience and strategies for integrating the curriculum into standards-based lessons and using it to support authentic watershed investigations that connect science concepts to real-world stewardship.

Who is this for?

-- Classroom teachers

-- Environmental educators

-- Youth and environmental volunteers

What will you learn?

-- Youth engagement in water science, including the water cycle, watersheds, and drinking water threats

-- Hands-on investigations using Foil the Flow, H2-Oh No!, and water testing for pH, nitrates, and total dissolved solids

-- Integration of Pennsylvania STEELS standards and the MWEE framework into community-based watershed investigations

The webinar will be held from 3:00 to 4:00 p.m.

Click Here to register and for more information.


December 9 - PFAS Test Results

Participants will learn what PFAS test results mean, how they compare with drinking water standards, and ways to manage PFAS in private water systems.

Whether you participated in a testing program or want to learn more about PFAS in drinking water, this session will help you better understand your results and potential next steps. 

Participants are encouraged to submit questions in advance through the provided survey for consideration during the webinar.

Who is this for?

-- Participants in the 2026 summer PFAS testing programs

-- Private water system owners and users

-- Homeowners considering PFAS testing

-- Anyone interested in learning more about PFAS

What will you learn?

-- What PFAS are and where they come from

-- How to read and interpret your laboratory report

-- Current PFAS drinking water standards

-- How to manage PFAS issues in private water systems

The webinar will be held from 6:00 to 7:30 p.m.

Click Here to register and for more information.

Visit the Penn State Extension website to learn more about many other educational opportunities.

Related Articles This Week:

-- PennVEST Announces Purchase Of 10.1 Million Pounds Of Sediment Reductions, 34,757 Pounds Of Nitrogen, 5,236 Pounds Of Phosphorus Reductions For $5.6 Million  [PaEN] 

-- Susquehanna River Basin Commission, MD Dept. Of Environment Award $12 Million+ To Support 5 Projects To Reduce Sediment, Nutrient Pollution Under Conowingo Pay-For-Success Program  [PaEN]

-- USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service-PA Awards $9.5 Million To Alliance For The Chesapeake Bay To Help Farmers Install Conservation Practices  [PaEN] 

-- NRCS-PA Announces Additional Practices Are Eligible For PA Farmers Participating In The Regenerative Pilot Program In 2027  [PaEN]

-- Capital RC&D Receives National Fish & Wildlife Foundation Chesapeake Bay Small Watershed Grant To Improve Farm Grazing Practices  [PaEN] 

-- Penn State College Of Agricultural Sciences Launches Regenerative Agriculture Center  [PaEN]  

-- PA Organization For Watersheds & Rivers Hosts Nov. 12 In-Person Southeast Regional Watersheds Workshop In Montgomery County  [PaEN]

-- Penn State Extension Hosts Dec. 17 ACAP Webinar On Building Better Agricultural Erosion Control Plans Using PAOneStop Tools  [PaEN] 

-- Protecting Clean Water Together: Looks Okay, Smells Okay, But Is It Okay? -  By Carol Hillestad for Brodhead Watershed Association  [PaEN] 

-- Manada Conservancy, Swatara Watershed Assn. To Hold Nov. 8 Team Up To Clean Up The Raceway In Middletown Borough, Dauphin County  [PaEN] 

-- PA Master Naturalists Begin Accepting Applications For Spring Training Courses Nov. 2  [PaEN]

-- Brodhead Watershed Association: Keeping The Delaware River Wild - By Carol Hillestad for Brodhead Watershed Association  [PaEN] 

NewsClips:

-- Tribune-Democrat: Stonycreek-Conemaugh River Improvement Project Celebrates 35th Anniversary In Cambria, Somerset Counties   [PDF of Article]

-- Millersville University Blog: MU Students Teach McCaskey HS Students Watershed Science Along Conestoga River In Lancaster County  

-- WHYY - Zoe Read: Hundreds Of Rain Gardens, ‘Green’ Projects Later, What Is Philadelphia’s Next Plan To Stop Raw Sewage From Spilling Into Local Waterways?

-- Middle Susquehanna RiverKeeper Blog: Nature Book Fair Set For Dec. 12 At Montour Preserve Features Local Bookstores, Holiday Sweater Competition In Montour County 

-- Middle Susquehanna RiverKeeper Blog: New Educational Card Games Ideal For Classes Or Students Help Illustrate How Aquatic Ecosystems Work And Issues Hellbenders Face

-- Middle Susquehanna RiverKeeper Blog: Nearly 600 Fish, 22 Species Captured As Part Of Fish Rescue And Data College Project Hear Susquehanna River Dam Near Sunbury 

-- Middle Susquehanna RiverKeeper Blog: Local Data From National Study Shows Impacts Of Heat Waves On Various Common Bird Species And Highlights Benefits Of Project 

-- Middle Susquehanna RiverKeeper Blog: Participants Learn About Freshwater Mussels, Impacts Of Excess Salt On Our Waters During Floating Classroom Session

-- Warren Times: Conewango Creek Watershed Assn. Sets Nov. 12 Fall Dinner Meeting

-- WHYY: Gov. Shapiro Signs Law Requiring Home Sellers, Landlords To Disclose More About A Home’s Flood Risk

[Posted: October 31, 2026]  PA Environment Digest

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