Day1: Watershed
What is the impact of human activity on the microbiology and chemistry of our local lakes and rivers?
Day1: Watershed is a year-long program that offers you the opportunity to learn microbiology
and chemistry while engaging in the efforts of our local community to improve the
water quality of the greater Holland area and larger Lake Michigan ecological systems.
You and your classmates will use your knowledge of science, mathematics and engineering
to tackle this environmental challenge.
Before classes begin, immerse yourself in this cutting-edge interdisciplinary research program alongside other first-year students, upperclass student TAs and devoted faculty. Collect samples in the field and return to the laboratory where you and your team will measure the levels of sediments, chemicals and microbial populations in the Macatawa watershed. In the lab, you鈥檒l use advanced microbiology and chemistry laboratory equipment and techniques along with statistics and computation, preparing you for a wide array of careers including medicine, biology, chemistry and environmental science.
At the end of each semester, you and your team will assess your research using statistical analysis and present your findings. Your research will help the ongoing remediation efforts of the community-based program, Project Clarity, which aims to improve water quality throughout the entire Lake Macatawa watershed.
Community details
- A year-long introductory science lab that replaces a chemistry lab and a biology lab and also provides credit toward the data science minor
- Begins with a week-long, pre-college experience collecting samples, exploring the local watershed and working in the lab
- Learn from peer research mentors 鈥� older watershed students whose experience will help guide you during your first year at Hope
- The You Are Mostly Not Human first-year seminar (FYS) course is designed to accompany Day1: Watershed 鈥� consider
putting this course high on your list when selecting FYS courses
- In addition to the Watershed course community, optionally choose to enrich your first-year experience by living with other Day1 students in Voorhees Hall, the designated Day1 residence hall
- Next offered in the fall 2027 and spring 2028 academic year
Day1: Watershed puts technology in your hands to help as you perform research
Engage in meaningful and cohesive lab work from the very first days of class
Day1: Watershed allows you to go out into the field before classes start
Work collaboratively to explore the issues facing the local watershed
Form meaningful relationships with peers from different backgrounds 
Your lab experiences use real science as you investigate critical issues 
Work collaboratively to explore the issues facing the local watershed
Learn how a lab works through experience
Work with groups as you explore the issues facing the local environment 
Learn to collect data and interpret what it means
What sort of issues are facing our local watershed?
Faculty Mentors
Harrison C. and Mary L. Visscher Professor of Genetics
Department of Biology
Schaap Science Center 3015
35 East 12th Street
Holland, MI 49423-3605
616.395.7376
best@hope.edu
Professor of Chemistry
A. Paul Schaap Science Center 2116A
35 East 12th Street
Holland, MI 49423-3605
616.395.7173
brownk@hope.edu
Professor of Chemistry
Schaap Science Center 2120A
35 East 12th Street
Holland, MI 49423-3605
616.395.7629
kruegerb@hope.edu
Assistant Professor of Geological & Environmental Science
A. Paul Schaap Science Center Room 2059
35 East 12th Street
Holland, MI 49423
616.395.6710
philben@hope.edu
Professor of Chemistry
A. Paul Schaap Science Center 3061
35 East 12th Street
Holland, MI 49423-3605
616.395.7382
pikaart@hope.edu
Associate Professor of Mathematics
VanderWerf Hall - Room 215
27 Graves Place
Holland, MI 49423-3617
616.395.7526
yurk@hope.edu
workP. 616.395.7405
day1@hope.edu