Shlenker on the Bayou - shlenkeronthebayou

Four months ago, a technologist and 3 bright elementary students with a desire to explore and investigate set out on a journey. The technologist was only to be a guide with a goal in mind of promoting technology standards seamlessly into an adventure. The students were taking part because they were asked to do so. Little did they know that after four months they would have accomplished so much in such a short time. Appreciating each other, nature, and the gift of knowledge others shared with them. They are likely never to forget the lessons learned!

We've been busy investigating along the banks of Brays and Buffalo Bayou. We hope you will share in our bayou experience by leaving your comments and questions. Take a look around our website: view our videos, visit our resource links, and answer our "What do you think?" poll.

If you live along the bayou and have stories to tell, we would like for you to share them with us. Maybe you jog on the bayou or walk your dog along the path. We would like to know how you have come to appreciate the bayou.

We'll be collecting data, updating the website, and working on the following projects as we prepare for a Science Fair presentation in early February:

Come learn along with us and your neighbors, join our site as a member and we’ll email you with our updates.

Message board

Comment received from BobS to JoanG

You mentioned the stink on the Bayou. Part of it is sewage in the water. Part of it is from the waste water lines on both sides of the bayou. There are two major north-south trunk lines in our/your area that join the waste water line on the north side. One is in line with Renwick just west of the Nob Hill apartments, and the other at Chimney Rock. At both junctions, there is an odor. The City has been treating this with chemicals. Sometimes the supply may run out. Or there may be an overload, such as everyone watching a game gets up and relieves themselves at half time.
BobS

Smell at Renwick Bridge

People ask us, "Can you find out where the smell comes from?" Our group agrees that the smell at Renwick Bridge is the worst on the block. See our featured picture below of the look down from Renwick Bridge. Does this ever get cleaned up?

What Do You Think?

Team on a Mission

Website Resources for Bayou Project

View looking down at Renwick Bridge

Guestbook

2/8/2010 3:38:50 PM - 002069446711
I love reading about your project. It's awesome! There's so much to learn from you. Thanks for sharing such interesting information with all of us.

1/20/2010 6:49:44 PM - 002097569819
This is amazing. I have learned so much. Thanks for sharing all of this wonderful information. Who knew?

1/20/2010 5:28:49 PM - 002098570997
Your bayou trip looked wonderful! I have always wanted to do the same thing myself. You've imspired me!

12/4/2009 3:20:19 AM - 002098570997
Students, when you are trying to identify birds, keep in mind that there are many different species that look alike. Several different characteristics are used to identify them, including size, beak color, leg color, feet color, feather patterns, flight patterns, and so on. Sometimes, the only way to tell two birds apart is by the color of their feet--and it's hard to see feet when the birds are standing in the bayou! Why don't you take another look at the birds you've identified to see if all those characteristics match up. Keep up the good work!
Mrs. Picus

12/3/2009 12:52:30 AM - 002098570997
Brays Bayou is one of my favorite places in Houston. In fact, for most of my life, I have lived only a block or two away. When I was a child, it was in my back yard! I am looking forward to learning all about it, with you and from you!
Mrs. Picus

12/1/2009 2:51:30 PM - 003003642287
I am learning a lot about the bayou through your project. I think it is great what you are doing. Keep up the good work!

11/30/2009 1:51:50 PM - 002070944464
What an awesome project...it has been interesting learning and seeing the pictures from the bayou.

11/21/2009 6:00:11 PM - 001090676487
We can't wait to see what you guys learn on your rafting trip. This is such a great project!

11/16/2009 5:24:44 PM - 002097945414
This is a great project. I can't wait to hear more. Have fun, learning!
Ms. Toby

11/13/2009 9:09:07 PM - 002021730980
Dear Shlenker Students,
What a great idea to study the bayou and what a great web site. I particularly like the pictures of the birds. I love Brays Bayou. I run or ride my bike on it nearly every morning. I have friends that I meet on the bayou. My dog like the bayou as well. I was there with her this morning, in fact. I hope I can meet you sometime and find out in person what you have learned.
John Freeman

11/12/2009 10:02:37 PM - 002036327009
What an amazing project! I did not know there was so much to learn about our own backyard! I look forward to learning more.

11/12/2009 9:49:17 PM - 002097638789
Joseph and Isaac and I regularly ride the bayou on our bikes from Belden's to the Med Center and back. It's our trail, and we love it!

11/12/2009 5:18:07 PM - 000045559998
Shlenker on the bayou is amazing! I enjoyed the pitures and the videos. I have often wondered what the tall, thin white birds are called and what causes the terrible bayou odor. I will look forward to reading your updates and learning from you all. What is the reason the odor is so much worse on some days than it is on others?

11/12/2009 1:22:28 PM - 002097569819
This is amazing. Thanks for teaching me about the bayou. I have always wondered about much of this.

11/12/2009 2:27:57 AM - 002069446711
I've learned so much about the Bayou from reading your blog and looking at the photo albums. I really am interested in what causes the smell that comes from the Bayou so I can't wait to find the answer to the "stink" question you posted.