The students of Longfellow/Sota 2 Middle Schools in LaCrosse, Wisconsin became concerned about the negative impact that a major river draw-down might have on the surrounding environment. This planned lowering of the Mississippi River would be the largest attempted in the St. Paul District of the U.S Army Corps of Engineers. This group formed a partnership with several governmental agencies including the Upper Midwest Environmental Science Center, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, and the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources. The students were responsible for conducting authentic scientific research. The data that was collected was being utilized as baseline data by the different governmental agencies to formulate their reports and to devise future research projects. Specifically, the group conducted empirical research on the feeding cycles of fingerling yellow perch. They will also have the opportunity to contribute to over 200 research projects being conducted by the Upper Midwest Environmental Sciences Center.

The National Fish and Wildlife Foundation chose to align itself with this project and made the following statement, "The School on the River project is an outstanding collaborative effort between students, teachers, local organizations, and state and federal agencies that engages students in hands-on, community-based environmental learning and research opportunities. The collaborative, hands-on, and locally relevant nature of the project empowers students and effectively fosters among them a better understanding and interest in natural resource stewardship. This program highlights and underscores the importance of student efforts in natural resource conservation."