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<p>WILKES-BARRE &#8212; Kerry Shamnoski poked the metal probe into the cup of Susquehanna River water and got a conductivity reading of &#8212; well, let&#8217;s face it, the science part of &#8220;environmental science&#8221; is essential, but Kerry conceded her days at science camp have benefited most from the &#8220;environmental&#8221; side of it.</p><p>&#8220;I&#8217;m usually really kind of skittish,&#8221; the Avoca resident said, confessing a distinctive uneasiness with the uncontrolled nature of, well, being in nature. &#8220;But I&#8217;m touching all these bugs and crayfish and things, and it&#8217;s a whole new world for me.&#8221;</p><p>So the camp held by Wilkes University, which ran from Monday through Wednesday, offered valuable, hands-on experience for a high school student who intends to major in environmental engineering in college. And yes, Wilkes is on her list of potential post-secondary institutions.</p><p>Funded with a mini-grant from the state Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, the camp was led by Julie McMonagle, a lecturer and lab manager in the department of environmental engineering and earth science. She said 17 students from regional high schools participated.</p><p>Students conducted tests at a different site each day: Frances Slocum State Park, the Back Mountain Trail, and Wednesday&#8217;s trip to the Susquehanna starting at the Nesbitt Boat Launch.</p><p>Using portable instruments, they collected air and water samples and conducted multiple tests, including conductivity and Ph measurements in the water. The former helps gauge levels of salts and inorganic materials, the latter the presence of acid.</p><p>They also tested air samples, and gathered evidence of mayflies and crayfish, both indicators of the health of a waterway.</p><p>Of course, there are other insects out there, ones a student may prefer to avoid.</p><p>&#8220;I am completely coated with bug repellent,&#8221; Kerry said with a satisfied grin.</p><style>
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<div class="neCaption">Dale Bruns, professor of aquatic ecology at Wilkes University, teaches students about collecting macroinvertebrate along the Susquehanna River off of the Nesbitt Park Boat Launch in Kingston on Wednesday, August 2.  8/2/17. Sean McKeag | Times Leader</div></div><div class="metaInfo"><photo0>https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/08/web1_TTL080317enviro1-1.jpg</photo0><caption0>Dale Bruns, professor of aquatic ecology at Wilkes University, teaches students about collecting macroinvertebrate along the Susquehanna River off of the Nesbitt Park Boat Launch in Kingston on Wednesday, August 2.  8/2/17. Sean McKeag | Times Leader</caption0><photoCredit0></photoCredit0></div><div class="neFile"><img class="neImage" src="https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/08/web1_TTL080317enviro2-1.jpg">
<div class="neCaption">Students collect insects and other macroinvertebrates in the Susquehanna River under the Market Street Bridge during environmental science day camp Wednesday. </div></div><div class="metaInfo"><photo1>https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/08/web1_TTL080317enviro2-1.jpg</photo1><caption1>Students collect insects and other macroinvertebrates in the Susquehanna River under the Market Street Bridge during environmental science day camp Wednesday. </caption1><photoCredit1></photoCredit1></div><div class="neFile"><img class="neImage" src="https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/08/web1_TTL080317enviro3-1.jpg">
<div class="neCaption">Kelsey Murphy, left, looks at macroinvertebrates she caught in the Susquehanna River with Sophia Ficarro, both 17 from Kingsley, during environmental science day camp along the Susquehanna River in Wilkes-Barre on Wednesday. </div></div><div class="metaInfo"><photo2>https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/08/web1_TTL080317enviro3-1.jpg</photo2><caption2>Kelsey Murphy, left, looks at macroinvertebrates she caught in the Susquehanna River with Sophia Ficarro, both 17 from Kingsley, during environmental science day camp along the Susquehanna River in Wilkes-Barre on Wednesday. </caption2><photoCredit2></photoCredit2></div></div>
<div class="metaInfo"><subheadMeta>Wilkes environmental campexplores &#8216;whole new world&#8217;</subheadMeta></div><div class="metaInfo"><bylineMeta><p>By Mark Guydish</p><p>mguydish@www.timesleader.com</p></bylineMeta></div><div class="metaInfo"><shirttailMeta><p>Reach Mark Guydish at 570-991-6112 or on Twitter @TLMarkGuydish</p></shirttailMeta></div>

Students study Susquehanna during Wilkes environmental camp