The Confluence Project
The Confluence Project
The Confluence Project (TCP) is a yearlong program pairing scientific experts with high schools across North Idaho. Partners from University of Idaho, the Coeur d’Alene Tribe, Idaho Department of Environmental Quality, Panhandle Health, NRCS, the Basin Environmental Improvement Project Commission, and IdaH2O team up to promote hands-on experience, field data collection and higher education degrees in the natural sciences.
With over 300 participants every year, TCP connects students to Idaho’s lakes, streams, mountains and aquifer through a combination of on-site studies and classroom work.
Throughout the school year, TCP teachers introduce water resource issues in the classroom and guide their students in a comprehensive research project. During multiple field excursions, students collect and analyze local water resource data. In the spring, they develop a driving question related to a real-world water resource issue, thoroughly research, collect data and propose a relevant solution.
The project culminates in the Youth Water Summit where students present their research projects. More than 80 volunteer judges from the scientific community contribute to the success and growth of this event. The Youth Water Summit encourages students to dig deeper into local water issues while providing an opportunity to experience a professional scientific conference.
“The Confluence Project changed my whole perspective on science and the environment. It’s so beneficial for students.”
– Toni Eells
Toni Eells earned first place at the 2015 Youth Water Summit and is now studying environmental science at U of I. She returned to support the conference as an intern in 2019.
Volunteer with the Confluence Project
TCP is truly a community-led effort requiring the assistance, expertise and passion of hundreds of volunteers every year. If you have experience in environmental science, water quality issues or other applicable fields and would like to support TCP during field trips or as a summit judge, contact the project team at mikewood@uidaho.edu.
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- Our Gem Article
OUR GEM: Local Students Find Excitement with Hands-On Science
by Woody Wood, IWRRI Education and Outreach Coordinator It’s a cool fall morning, and I’m standing at the intersection of Burnt Cabin and Ohio Match Roads waiting for a bus load of Venture Academy students to arrive. While I wait here with my colleagues, travelers stop and ask why we have dozens of pairs of rubber boots lined up next to our vehicles. We tell them about the incoming students and the work they are about to do, and they… -
- News
University of Idaho and North Idaho College Team Up to Celebrate Youth Scientific Leaders
The University of Idaho Coeur d’Alene’s Idaho Water Resources Research Institute (IWRRI) partnered with North Idaho College (NIC) to celebrate the winners of the 2025 Youth Water Summit. This annual event empowers high school students to investigate and address real-world water issues in their communities through hands-on research, innovation, and public presentation. -
Mike ‘Woody’ Wood
Outreach & Ed. Coordinator
Harbor Center, Coeur d’Alene
mikewood@uidaho.edu