Elementary School Activities

Parachute that Pollution!

GSE: S1L1, S2E3, S3L2, S4E3, S4L1
Time: 0.5-1 hour
Grades: K-5
Class size: 30 students

Students will learn about sources of water pollution and the detrimental effects that pollution has on freshwater ecosystems. Students will practice identifying pollution and removing it from waterways in this hands-on, fun parachute game. This activity must be outdoors.

Pollution Postcards

GSE: S3L2, S4E3, S4L1, S5P1, S6E3, S6E6, S7L4
Time: 1 hour
Grades: K-8
Class size: 30 students

Students explore the inter-connectivity of ecosystems by learning about aquatic food webs, biodiversity, the components of health habitats, and the impact of human actions and pollution on those ecosystems. Students demonstrate and communicate their knowledge by creating colorful postcards that can be mailed to friends, families, and neighbors.

Sum of the Parts (Project WET)

GSE: S3L2, S4E3, S4L1, S5P1, S6E3, S6E6, S7L4
Time: 0.5-1 hour
Grades: 2-8
Class size: 30 students

Students will learn about point and non-point source pollution and the potentially harmful impact of human actions on ecosystems. Students will demonstrate how everyone contributes to the pollution of a river as it flows through a watershed while recognizing that everyone's "contributions" to the problems can be reduced.

Enviroscape: Watershed Pollution Prevention

GSE: S3L2, S4E3, S4L1, S5P1, S6E3, S6E6, S7L4
Time: 1 hour
Grades: 2-8
Class size: 30 students

Students will learn about watersheds, point and non-point source pollution, and the potentially harmful impact of human actions on ecosystems. Students will then visualize the way pollutants move through a watershed by watching a live demonstration of water on a watershed.

Crumple Watersheds

GSE: S3L2, S4E3, S4L1, S5P1, S6E3, S6E6, S7L4
Time: 1 hour
Grades: 2-8
Class size: 30 students

Students will gain an intuitive knowledge of the physical aspects of watersheds by creating their own watershed models using paper, cardboard, markers, and some water.

Middle School & High School Activities

Physical/Chemical Water Sampling

GSE: SB5, SC6, SEV1, SEV2, SEV3, SEV4, SEV5
Time: 1 hour
Grades: 7-12
Class size: 30 students

Students become scientists performing hands on chemical and physical water quality sampling. Water samples can either be brought to the classroom or students can visit a stream to conduct testing for pH, dissolved oxygen, temperature, and turbidity. Multiple testing methods can be used to show differences in techniques and test results. Collected data and land use information allow students to analyze data and make inferences into the quality of the water and the sources of pollutants.

Macroinvertebrate Stream Sampling

GSE: SB5, SC6, SEV1, SEV2, SEV3, SEV4, SEV5
Time: 1.5 to 2 hours
Grades: 7-12
Class size: 30 students

The best way to learn about water is to jump on in! Water samples can either be brought to the classroom or students can visit a stream to collect macroinvertebrates from their natural habitat under stream rocks and in leaf packs. Students identify the type and amount of macroinvertebrates using guides and a dichotomous key. Along with provided land use information and maps, students use the macroinvertebrate data to make inferences about water quality and pollution sources in their watershed. Contributions can be made toward transportation fees when possible. Let your students get some real hands-on science experience at the stream!

Service-Learning Activities

Stormdrain Decaling

GSE: S2E3, S3L2, S4E3, S4L1, S5P1, S6E3, S6E6, S7L4
Time: 1 to 2 hours
Grades: 4-12
Class size: Any, great for science clubs

Do your students know that stormdrains lead directly to our rivers and streams? That means that anything dumped or washed down a stormdrain will pollute some of our most precious water resources! Students glue decals onto the stormdrains on school property or a nearby neighborhood. The decals tell people “No dumping, drains to stream,” and list to which stream all the rain near your school drains. Students then become the educators themselves as they distribute door hangers explaining the decals to all classrooms.

Rain Barrel Making

GSE: S3L2, S4E3, S4L1, S5P1, S6E3, S6E6, S7L4
Time: 45 minutes-1.5 hours
Grades: 1-12
Class size: Any

Does your school want some rain barrels? Rain barrels help to conserve water and reduce erosion from stormwater runoff. They are also great classroom teaching tools! Stormwater staff will give a brief lecture about the importance of water collection devices and then have the students help to build rain barrels for their school. All materials are provided but the school must make installation arrangements on their own. It’s easy, fun, and saves your school water and money! Materials are available to paint the rain barrels upon special request, or instructions to paint them at a later date.

School Yard Stream Buffer Restoration

Time: Varies depending on desired length of project
Grades: 4-12
Class size: Any

Do you have a stream that runs through your school property? Is it surrounded with invasive species and lacking a protective buffer of native trees and shrubs? If you have these issues with your stream, we can conduct a buffer restoration project with your class to eradicate invasive species using chemical-free methods, pick up trash, and plant native species. Materials are provided. If you do not have a stream on your school property and would like to conduct a buffer restoration, there are County sites that can be used.

Watershed Litter Pick-up

Time: Varies depending on desired length of project
Grades: K-12
Class size: Any

No matter how far from a stream, pollutants such as trash, paint, and auto fluids find their way into our waterways when it rains. We can arrange to conduct a litter pick up on your school site or at a nearby stream to get students involved in protecting our water resources. Materials are provided.