(05/18/18) - Results are in for testing done earlier this year by students from Genesee, Saginaw and Lapeer counties.

The tests looked at the quality of the Flint River and its streams throughout the tri-county watershed.

Participating students from 6th though 12th grades learned far more from the testing than just a class assignment.

Group analysis and games like these, along with presentations were part of a science initiative by the Flint River Watershed Coalition's GREEN program, which encourages students to become interested in science and the environment.

"This is a really great program where the kids start out, sometimes being a little dubious about what they're gonna find," said Rebecca Fedewa, executive director of the Flint River Watershed Council. "They maybe don't want to get into the river stream, you know they hear stories. They go through this program and by the end of the program, you just see this complete transformation."

Through chemical testing, the students figured out how healthy the water is and what contaminants are present that may pose a threat to the delicate ecosystem.

"We got not so great results, unfortunately. But that's also probably because the flooding that was there," said Kaden Bredow, a Mt. Morris Middle School student.

The results weren't uniform across the entire stretch of river the students studied.

"Results were surprising because different parts were different. Some were cleaner than others and some were worse than others," said Devin Pritt from Armstrong Middle School.

This annual student summit provides the perfect backdrop for presenting their findings, as well as measures that can be taken to improve water quality and safety.

"We introduced our students to the Flint Watershed Coalition I think eight or nine years ago, and it's just a great opportunity for our students to learn how they impact the environment and how we depend on the watershed here in the area," said Nick Carr, a science teacher at Mt. Morris Middle School.

At least one student was inspired to learn more after the testing.

"When I get older I'm thinking about doing what they're teaching here because I got interested in the water," said Devin Richter, a Marshall Green Middle School student.

All the data collected is shared with environmental professionals, who will analyze the data to see if there are pollution or other concerns that may need additional inspection and testing.