Outdoor and Environmental Education → Instructional Programs → Residential Programs → Teacher Information → Stream/Pond Study
Students investigate the local
watershed and work in groups to assess the health of a nearby stream or pond.
Students learn techniques for collection biotic and abiotic data of an aquatic
ecosystem using a macroinvertebrate survey, chemical analyses, and stream
buffer analysis. Food web and food chain concepts are reinforced through
identification of the organisms in a stream ecosystem and the environmental
impact of various pollutants are discussed.
lesson materials are designed to supplement and refresh the workshops. Teachers are strongly encouraged to attend a
training workshop before teaching the stream/pond study class. We recommend using the resources below, although teachers are welcome to adjust them to fit the needs of their students.
Model Lesson on Video (youtube) - this can help the teachers review before
teaching the lesson at their school's Outdoor Environmental Education Program.
It does not take the place of attending an initial in-person training.