Topic of the week:
What’s in the Water? Using Insects to Measure Water Quality
Students will explore how scientists assess water quality by studying aquatic life, testing key water parameters, and understanding sources of pollution in freshwater systems like Lake Michigan and Chicago waterways.
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Program Highlights:
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Water Exploration: Discover what lives beneath the surface by learning how scientists identify aquatic macroinvertebrates and what they reveal about water quality.
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Ecosystem Detectives: Learn how different insect species act as bioindicators, helping scientists determine whether water is clean or polluted.
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Water Testing & Science: Get hands-on with key water quality indicators like dissolved oxygen, nitrogen, phosphorus, turbidity, and temperature, and understand how they affect aquatic life.
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STEM Mentorship: Connect with female environmental scientists and water professionals who use data and field research to protect freshwater ecosystems.​
Session 1 : June 15 - 18 M-Th 9am - 4pm
Meet Your Mentor:
Petra Hurtado Ph.D. - Chief Foresight & Knowledge Officer, American Planning Association
Petra (Stieninger) Hurtado, Ph.D. is the Chief Foresight & Knowledge Officer at the American Planning Association (APA), where she leads the organization’s foresight practice to drive innovation and resilience in the planning profession. With a Ph.D. in Urban Planning from the Vienna University of Technology, Petra specializes in strategic foresight, urban futures, emerging technologies, urban sustainability, and environmental psychology.
Petra has been a keynote speaker and subject matter expert at international conferences and has guest lectured at prestigious institutions such as Harvard Graduate School of Design and Virginia Tech. Her work bridges the gap between theory and practice, advancing the conversation on sustainable urban development and the future of cities.
Meet Your Mentor:
Petra Hurtado Ph.D. - Chief Foresight & Knowledge Officer, American Planning Association
Petra (Stieninger) Hurtado, Ph.D. is the Chief Foresight & Knowledge Officer at the American Planning Association (APA), where she leads the organization’s foresight practice to drive innovation and resilience in the planning profession. With a Ph.D. in Urban Planning from the Vienna University of Technology, Petra specializes in strategic foresight, urban futures, emerging technologies, urban sustainability, and environmental psychology.
Petra has been a keynote speaker and subject matter expert at international conferences and has guest lectured at prestigious institutions such as Harvard Graduate School of Design and Virginia Tech. Her work bridges the gap between theory and practice, advancing the conversation on sustainable urban development and the future of cities.
Meet Your Mentor:
Petra Hurtado Ph.D. - Chief Foresight & Knowledge Officer, American Planning Association
Petra (Stieninger) Hurtado, Ph.D. is the Chief Foresight & Knowledge Officer at the American Planning Association (APA), where she leads the organization’s foresight practice to drive innovation and resilience in the planning profession. With a Ph.D. in Urban Planning from the Vienna University of Technology, Petra specializes in strategic foresight, urban futures, emerging technologies, urban sustainability, and environmental psychology.
Petra has been a keynote speaker and subject matter expert at international conferences and has guest lectured at prestigious institutions such as Harvard Graduate School of Design and Virginia Tech. Her work bridges the gap between theory and practice, advancing the conversation on sustainable urban development and the future of cities.