Missouri River Flooding: A Learning Experience

(PONCA, NE) The Missouri River's rising waters are changing the way we live here in Siouxland, and one group is using the historic flooding as a teachable moment.

Everything Missouri River is a learning experience for more than a dozen Siouxland educators.

"We've learned the science, the ecology, the biology, the geology," says Rita Pedersen, a middle school teacher from Hartington, NE.

The University of South Dakota's Missouri River Institute is sending teachers back to school.

They're learning the ins and outs of the "Mighty Mo," and bringing the knowledge back to the classroom.

"They're going to take it back and teach it to their students, so we're essentially affecting, over several years, thousands of people in terms of their knowledge of the Missouri River," says Tim Cowman, Director of the Missouri River Institute.

This year's record flooding is a new opportunity for education.

"We're injecting it into the class this year, and actually next year and for years in the future, we'll continue to use the flood of 2011 as a learning tool," says Cowman.

Rising waters are changing the landscape and the way we look at the river. They're also affecting nearly everyone, all the time, whether they realize it or not.

"Eventually you're going to come in contact with the river, and the more you know about it, the more educated you are, the better," says Joe Devlaux, a teacher from Vermillion High School.

The classes are about learning a harsh lesson: sometimes you just can't control Mother Nature.

"The river has always had control of this region, and will always, no matter what we as humans think we can control or influence," says Pedersen.

Throughout the week sessions were really hands on, they included field trips to places like Niobrara State Park. Unfortunately, Friday marked the last day of classes for this year.

If you're interested, the Missouri River Institute is planning on holding similar sessions again next year. They'll be open to all students, not just educators.

If you'd like to learn more, please visit this web site: http://www.usd.edu/missouri-river-institute/

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