Curated OER
Is It Safe to Go In? Water Quality of Bathing Areas in the EU
Using your senses, apprehend the effects of contaminants in water. With a global focus, young scientists conduct a safe experiment by tasting sugar and salt water with different dilutions. After reviewing threshold limits, learners write...
Curated OER
Snapshot Day Definitions and Activities
Here is a document full of teaching notes on water quality and bodies of water that you can use in your ecology curriculum. It has information specific to the Hudson River area, but can easily be adapted to any local body of water....
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Reading the River
In collaborative groups, young ecologists measure the temperature, pH, and dissolved oxygen for three different freshwater samples. They examine each sample with a microscope and record observations on the microorganisms in the pond...
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Getting the Lead Out
The article for this instructional activity no longer accessible through the links in the lesson plan, but can be found in the National Center for Biotechnology Information website. After reading it, environmental science students answer...
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Three is a Toxic Number
Future public health advocates read a case study of a combination of water pollutants that may be linked to autism. The class is split into three groups, one to research each of the suspected chemicals. The look at how each one affects...
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Environmental Concerns (1) Analysis of Lead in Paint (2) Analysis of Water
A scenario and background information are provided for two different open-ended experiments that experienced chemistry classes can perform toward the end of the school year. In the first, they design a method for testing flakes of paint...
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Working With Environmental Issues
Students consider the source of disease and parasites in West Africa. In this environmental issues lesson plan, students read "Working with Environmental Issues," by Fred Koehler. Students participate in an activity that requires...
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What Do Fish Want?
Topics covered by the notes in this presentation are water components, what is acceptable in terms of water quality for the fish living in it, ammonia and natural filtration, nitrates, and dissolved oxygen. Each slide has the same...
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WET Science Lesson #11: How Light Affects Water
Scientists listen to the story of Wadja Egnankou who works to save African mangrove forests. They experiment with refraction and the introduction of particulate matter to water. They conclude with creative writing about the need for a...
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Water Quality with Samples
Students recognize whether one wants to drink water, swim in it, or for the health of the organisms living in it. They prepare different water samples to observe and collect samples regarding the water quality.
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Water Monitoring Vocabulary
As the title implies, this is a list of vocabulary terms relating to water monitoring. If your ecology class is learning about how to test water quality, this will be an appropriate reference sheet for them. As a bonus, if you live in...
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Stream Quality Assessment
Students investigate many of the factors that affect water quality. They take measurements and water samples at a local stream and evaluate the health of their community's watershed. They write a report detailing their findings.
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Where in the world is the Hydra Electron?
Walk your class through the journey water takes once it leaves your kitchen sink, all the way through the water cycle. Demonstrations support your lecture. This plan is thoroughly written, but ideally you would follow it up with water...
Michigan Sea Grant
What's in This Water?
Pupils investigate the biological and chemical characteristics of water to determine where purple loosestrife occurs. They create data sheets to record water quality tests in several locations and work in groups to conduct the water...
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The New Haven Oyster Industry and Water Quality
Students examine the different types of water pollutants and how they affect the waterways. In this environmental science lesson, students collect and interpret data from government agencies. They discuss how industrial development in...
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WHO Wants Clean Water! Do You? Solving Conflicts Over International Water Rights Issues
High schoolers examine the water rights on an international scale. In this social studies lesson plan, students research on a specific water rights issue. They write a paper about their findings and create a PowerPoint presentation which...
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A Very Simple Conductivity Meter
Students investigate the hardness of different water samples using the conductivity meter. In this chemistry instructional activity, students build their own meter following specific procedures. They identify an unknown sample of water.
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Filtering Water
Students investigate the need for filtered water. In this filtered water lesson, students explore the health hazards posed from consuming unfiltered water. Students construct a water filtration device.
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Hazardous Chemicals? Not in my Water!
Students reflect on the effects of their actions on the environment. In this community service lesson, students investigate the hazardous quality of products within their homes. Student educate their families and communities about the...
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Clean Water -- Life Depends on It!
Students examine water quality, water pollution, and water treatment, and how they are all interrelated. For this unit on clean water, students complete 21 interdisciplinary activities on water quality, water pollution, and water treatment.
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Water Quality: Water Filtration
Young scholars build a water filtration system. For this water quality lesson, students work in groups to construct water filtration units that can purify contaminated water. This lesson is part of a larger unit on water quality.
US Department of Energy
Solar Distiller
Explore the sun's ability to distill contaminated water with this simple set of classroom experiments. After filling two glass bowls, one with muddy water and the other with salt water, they are covered with plastic wrap and placed in...
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Water Treatment Plant
Second graders create their own water treatment system. In this water treatment lesson, 2nd graders create the water treatment system and record how it works. Students list materials they used and write about what they saw. Students then...
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World-Water Hero
Students make up a superhero. In this water quality lesson, students create a superhero with super powers that can improve water quality and availability.