The Bennett's Millpond Project is a new collaborative program for aquatic environmental learning partnering The Science House, the Albemarle Learning Center, Chowan County, and NC State University. This program will focus on studying the environment of an unusual and historic space, the colonial-era Bennett's Millpond near Edenton, NC. The Millpond and the surrounding area are considered a coastal swamp and have not previously been studied. Research and data collected will include water quality (chemical, physical, and biological), hydrology of the area, meteorology, and aquatic and terrestrial flora and fauna.

Teams of students and teachers from the region interacting with NC State scientists and local environmental experts will perform weekly testing of the Millpond. Students and teachers will develop independent research projects for the Millpond Project in areas of their interest. Their sampling protocols, curriculum materials, and research data will be posted on this website to enable other education groups to set up similar sites in their own regions. As the program develops, other groups will be encouraged to interact with the student/teacher teams and send questions to the supporting scientists and teams. Goals of the program include reducing the isolation of rural students and teachers, and establishing the rural students as providers of information.

Project Development Timeline

Curriculum Modules

Summer Academy

Student Projects