Teacher Information

*THIS PROGRAM IS A PRIVILEGE AND SHOULD BE TREATED AS SUCH*

Wonders on the Wabash 

2023 Dates

September 6, 7, 12, 13, 14

Wonders on the Wabash (Wonders) is a FREE program designed by the Tippecanoe County Partnership for Water Quality (TCPWQ) for 6th grade classes in Tippecanoe County. Wonders focuses on the importance of our ecosystem and instills a sense of stewardship for protecting one of our most valuable natural resources: water.

***** REMINDER: YOU AND YOUR STUDENTS WILL BE AROUND WATER - YOU MAY GET WET *****

Photo Release and Liability Waiver

All students must have a completed liability and photo waiver to participate in the Wonders on the Wabash program. If your student does not have access to a computer at home you can  Click here to download and print the form.

Students with Disabilities and Special Requests

The Tippecanoe County Partnership for Water Quality is committed to the full inclusion of all student participants. As part of this commitment, TCPWQ will ensure that persons with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodations to participate to the fullest extent possible. If your student participant requires reasonable accommodations to participate in the WOW program (i.e., medication, allergies, Para, etc.), please contact us using the information at the bottom of this page.

If you have a student(s) under the care of a physician for an illness or injury that may be adversely affected by participating in the Wonders program (e.g., cast, bandages, or stitches that should be kept dry), please submit a signed medical clearance from their preferred medical provider. In addition, if the student(s) has a condition that might require additional safety-related care or precautions, please let us know so we can be adequately prepared.

School Visit

All schools participating in Wonders on the Wabash are required to schedule a visit from the Water Quality Educator. The Educator will visit your classroom before your day on the water. This 30-minute (or less) visit will address to students what they can expect and what is expected of them on their day on their rafting day. It will also address any questions and/or concerns they may have about their day on the water. To schedule your classroom visit, please use the contact information at the bottom of this page.

Pre and Post-Testing

The TCPWQ asks that all teachers administer a pre-test  a week before your scheduled raft day. Post-test should be administered as soon as possible after your day of rafting. This helps us evaluate the change in knowledge among students. The pre-test can be found on the student information page.

2022 Tapawingo Park

We realize when the students arrive at Tapawingo Park, they are ready to hit the water. We are ALL ready to get on the water! To make this happen, we need your help by: 

• Keeping any student (s) with their para or aide.

• No-photo student(s) exit the bus first.

• Any student(s) that will require medication during the day will need to be with the teacher or the adult responsible for administering the medication. 

• Raft instructors will randomly choose the appropriate number of students for their raft. Students will be taken to get them fitted with a life jacket and paddle.

• We will have morning announcements.

• This will be the last chance to use the restroom until we arrive at the fort. Then off to the river!!

How it works

Your students will experience a 4.5 mile rafting trip beginning at Tapawingo Park and ending at Fort Ouiatenon. The students will stop along the way to participate in hands-on learning sessions with topics like water quality, soils, freshwater mussels, fish, and wastewater treatment.

The program has been designed to incorporate state standards in agriculture, mathematics, physical education, social studies, history, economics, geography, science, and many more.

**Unfortunately in the case of inclement weather, we do not have rain dates scheduled. If we are forced to cancel your day, we are unable to reschedule for another date.**

Safety Information

  • Life jackets MUST be worn at all times. This is an insurance requirement that we must adhere to.
  • Students MUST wear closed-toe shoes at all times. No open-toe sandals or Crocs are allowed. This is an insurance requirement that we must adhere to.
  • Remain in the raft at all times (unless otherwise directed).
  • Do not stand up in rafts
  • When exiting rafts, exit from the front ONLY; never exit from the side(s).
  • Paddles are only to be used to maneuver the raft.
  • Emergency personnel will be present in a motorized safety boat. They will have first aid kits and will be able to assist in the event of an emergency.
  • Rafting trips will only be cancelled in the event of severe weather or dangerously high water levels.

Student & Teacher Evaluations

After your day on the water,  we need feedback from the students and teachers.  This helps us to help understand the impact the Wonders Program has on the perceptions of the Wabash River and natural resources as a whole.  We  strongly encourage you and your  students to fill out the evaluation form, seriously and honestly. Please  help us gather this important information!

Wonders of the Wabash (WOW) program is part of STEM education. 

September is a great month to have this program, it is early enough to where the you can use what the children have learned and expand upon it. Or, in some cases, the program is an expansion of what they have been studying.

Before this excursion, the TCPWQ Educator will have visited each school participating in Wonders on the Wabash. The educator will have explained to students and teachers what their day on the water entails. All the students will have performed a pre-test for this trip. All the students, parents, and teachers will be aware of what the students will be learning and tested on. 

Sponsors

The TCPWQ and sponsors are the businesses who help make this all available to you for FREE. Our sponsors are extremely important and need to know they are appreciated! For this to happen, I STRONGLY ENCOURAGE you to give your students a creative writing assignment by having them write and send thank you letters/cards to our sponsors. Let the sponsors know how much you enjoyed this experience, what you took away from this experience or just let them know how much you appreciated the opportunity to be on the Wabash River. You can find the names & addresses on the sidebar under supporting sponsors.

Tentative Agenda

Due to the size of the rafts, we must limit the number of people per day. The TCPWQ will provide 2 adults per raft each day. Each school will be allowed to bring a total of 100 people per day. This number includes students and adults from your school. We ask that you do not exceed 100 people. The tentative agenda will be posted once we have it. Thank you!

Contact Information

If you have any questions, need to submit required paperwork, or have any special requests, please contact Water Quality Educator Monica Christopher at mchristopher@tippecanoe.in.gov or 765-423-9228.