MassBay Environmental Science Class Partners With Charles River Watershed Association to Understand Water Quality

MassBay Community College Environmental Science students collect water samples as part of the Charles River Watershed project, Wellesley Hills, MA, September 2026 (Photo / Sarah Courchesne)

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact:
Liz Cooper
ecooper@massbay.edu

WELLESLEY HILLS, Mass. (October 29, 2026) — Students enrolled in MassBay Community College’s Principles of Environmental Science and Safety Lab are discovering their coursework can have a direct impact on the communities and environment around them. Led by Environmental Sciences Associate Professor Sarah Courchesne, 15 MassBay students are participating in the Charles River Watershed Association’s biological monitoring project, collecting and researching macroinvertebrates, small aquatic animals, and insects that live in local streams and waterways that flow into the Charles River.

“The students have spent the first few weeks of the semester conducting habitat assessments along the banks of Rosemary Brook in Wellesley and collecting water samples and organisms from Alder Brook in Needham,” said Courchesne. “After collecting the samples, they sorted and identified the organisms at nearby parks. Being out in the community and learning more about our environment is powerful for students. It also allows us to share valuable information with the Charles River Watershed Association to support its ongoing research.”

“Before this experience, I had written about local water quality using data collected by others, but being able to assess a stream firsthand gave me a much deeper understanding of the process,” said MassBay Environmental Science student Rebecca Stimpson. “Getting into the water, collecting samples, and analyzing them myself helped bring what we’ve been learning in class to life. I’ve always been fascinated by looking at aquatic organisms under a microscope, and this experience reminded me why I was drawn to environmental science in the first place.”

According to the Charles River Watershed Association, more than 100 volunteers participate each year in biological monitoring and habitat assessments to better understand the health of the Charles River watershed ecosystem. Benthic macroinvertebrates are small aquatic animals and larval insects that live on the bottoms of rivers, lakes, and streams and can be seen without a microscope. Because some organisms are more tolerant of pollution than others, studying their presence can help researchers determine the overall health of a waterway. In general, waterways with a greater number of pollution-sensitive organisms tend to be healthier, while those dominated by pollution-tolerant species may indicate environmental stress or reduced water quality.

Habitat assessments examine physical conditions along stream and riverbanks, including channel type, the amount of woody debris, bank stability, and vegetation growth. These data help researchers better understand the water quality of the Charles River and local waterways and can help guide future restoration efforts.

“Watershed monitoring helps us better understand how rainwater and runoff move through the land and eventually into the Charles River, which affects many communities throughout MetroWest” said Courchesne. “The samples we collect and the organisms living in the water can tell us a great deal about water quality and the overall health of the river ecosystem.”

“One of the biggest benefits of this experience has been the opportunity to do real-world fieldwork,” said MassBay Biology student Layla Al-Hussaini. “As a second-year biology student, much of my experience has been in a lab or working on a computer. Being out in the field conducting stream assessments has given me a better understanding of what environmental science looks like day to day. As I start thinking about transferring to a bachelor’s degree program and future career opportunities, this hands-on experience has been incredibly valuable. It’s one thing to learn concepts in the classroom, but it’s another to apply them directly in the environment and contribute to meaningful research.”

The project provides students with hands-on field experience while contributing meaningful data that supports ongoing environmental monitoring efforts throughout the region. By working directly in local waterways, students gain a deeper understanding of ecosystem health, water quality and the role scientific research plays in protecting natural resources.

“Working with MassBay’s students and Professor Courchesne has been a huge boon to the program, as it allows us to efficiently collect high-quality data through a rather extensive sampling and bug identification process,” said Ryan Smith, Charles River Watershed Association volunteer and outreach manager. “At the same time, it gives students an opportunity to experience what real-life environmental work can look like while contributing to a better understanding of the natural world around them.”

For Courchesne, the partnership demonstrates how experiential learning can connect classroom concepts to real-world challenges.

“Opportunities like this allow students to apply what they are learning in meaningful ways while making contributions that extend beyond the classroom. The experience not only strengthens their understanding of environmental science but also helps them see their role in protecting and understanding the communities where they live and work,” added Courchesne.

Ranked the #1 community college in Massachusetts and #15 in the nation for Career Outcomes by WalletHub, MassBay Community College is the most affordable higher education option in MetroWest Boston and is free to most Massachusetts residents without a bachelor’s degree. With more than 70 associate degree and certificate programs, along with comprehensive workforce and educational training, MassBay provides a wide range of courses with flexible day, evening, and weekend classes in Wellesley, Framingham, the Automotive Technology Center in Ashland, and online, in high-demand fields including health and life sciences, computer science, engineering, cybersecurity, business, and the humanities. MassBay students receive unparalleled value, with free one-on-one academic and social support services, compassionate and experienced faculty, and stackable credits that easily transfer to bachelor’s degree programs and that provide hands-on, workforce-ready skills. Health sciences, human services, early childhood education, and many general education programs are offered at the 65,000 square foot, state-of-the-art MassBay Framingham, which has served the community since January 2024. Founded in 1961, MassBay has been accredited by multiple governing bodies and remains dedicated to serving its diverse communities, fostering inclusiveness, and advancing equity for all.