 The Amador Valley science department initiated Project Creek Watch in 1994 . The project provides students with resources for the long term study of Arroyo Valle ; these resources include information about the chemistry in the creek , images of the creek , a guide to flora and fauna , and student projects on aquatic species . " The goal is to let kids realize there are a number of different physical and biological components that allow these organisms ( in the creek ) to coexist , " said Eric Thiel , an Amador Valley Biology teacher and a co @-@ founder of the project . " I hope they walk away able to see how complex ecosystems are . " In 1999 , the project received a Golden Bell Award for excellence in education from the California School Boards Association . Research projects about the creek and other topics have won first place awards at the Tri @-@ Valley Science and Engineering Fair . In 2001 , Thiel and the school received a National Semiconductor " Internet Innovator Award " for the Project Creek Watch website . 
