About

Launched in 2010, with seed money from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, the Rio Research Roundup is an annual student water testing project that involves nearly 80 student teams from the United States and Mexico.

As part of the Roundup, student teams use water testing kits, provided to them by RGISC, and on a given day in October, test the waters of the Rio Grande or one of its tributaries throughout the entire basin.

Students report and analyze data for water quality parameters that include bacteria, nitrates, phosphates, oxygen, turbidity, pH, temperature and others.

Additionally, students submit artwork, 1 minute videos, a 30 second public service announcement, and short answer essays in which they can express their ideas on how to improve water quality in the basin. A panel of judges reviews their work, and winners are announced in December.