Curated OER
Urban Impact on Chollas Creek (California): A Field Study
Students, in groups, take samples from a creek and keep a field journal on their samples. They also perform tests on their samples.
Curated OER
Properties of Soil
Fourth graders conduct investigations to test different types of soil from different regions of Texas. They make comparisons and identify the characteristics of the soil. The end product of the inquiry is a student report.
Curated OER
River Reflections
Sixth graders create podcasts and video public service announcements. In this environmental advocacy instructional activity, 6th graders study the local watershed and become advocates for their local environment. In the process, they...
Curated OER
Trail of the Tomato Growers
Economic pressures to produce and harvest in order to meet consumer needs is a very real issue. In small groups, the class uses three guiding questions to research the pressures on tomato growers to harvest at a level that meets the...
Curated OER
Using a Statistical Procedure To Search A Database For Out of the Ordinary Values
Students develop a spreadsheet containing formulas and find summaries for them. In this investigative lesson students choose a topic, investigate it and use MS Excel to sort data.
Curated OER
Soil Composition: Then and Now
Students identify the location of their school from a 1926 digitized Soil Sample map. Using remaining landforms, they determine the type of soil identified during that time, and compare it to the soil currently found near the school.
Curated OER
Not Just a Fish Tank
Students learn about a specific species of fish, study the effects of outside substances on the reproductive development of a fish, and explore the process of a wastewater treatment facility.
Curated OER
Benthic Macroinvertebrates
High schoolers survey and describe a stream ecosystem. They sample the benthic macroinvertebrate populations of a given stream and determine community structure through the use of the Chandler Index and a species diversity index.
Curated OER
Fish and Oxygen
Young scholars explore what factors affect population dynamics, identify factors affecting fish populations, and use Stella to model how dissolved oxygen affects fish populations.
Curated OER
Journey to the Afterlife
Students work together to design an Egyptian funerary barge. They discover the importance of the afterlife to Egyptians. They create their boat and share their design with the class. They compare and contrast the technology of Ancient...
Curated OER
How Does it Affect Plants?
Students examine the effects of acid rain on plants. They observe the growth of seeds and the health of different plants for a month. They share their findings with the community.
University of Missouri
Microbes in Action: Classroom Activities: Water Quality Testing [Pdf]
In this experiment, students will test the quality of a water sample by observing the number of coliform bacteria. Coliform bacteria are found in human intestines and a large amount can indicate water contamination. Lesson plan gives a...
TeachEngineering
Teach Engineering: Test and Treat Before You Drink
Young scholars learn about water quality testing and basic water treatment processes and technology options. Biological, physical and chemical treatment processes are addressed, as well as physical and biological water quality testing,...
Center for Innovation in Engineering and Science Education, Stevens Institute of Technology
Ciese Collaborative Projects: The Global Water Sampling Project
By testing your local water quality, you will be able to compare your results with students around the world. Register your class, and follow the project instructions. Additional teacher resources, references, and Ask-an-Expert sources...
PBS
Pbs Learning Media: River Rewilding: Advanced Water Quality
In this unit, students will try to improve stream quality and reduce human impacts by taking action.This Advanced Water Quality unit is packaged into three smaller parts: Part 1: Stream Habitat Assessment; Part 2: Macroinvertebrate...
Science Education Resource Center at Carleton College
Serc: Investigating the Water Quality of the Root River in Lanesboro, Mn
This field investigation will be in collaboration with Eagle Bluff Environmental Learning Center in Lanesboro, MN link to Eagle Bluff. It will include chemical, biological, and physical tests. The chemical tests will include kits where...
US Geological Survey
Usgs: Water Quality of San Francisco Bay
This resource from the United State Geological Survey provides data about San Francisco Bay's water quality. Data is displayed in time series plots, vertical profiles, longitudinal sections, space and time contours, and x-y scatter plots.
Alabama Learning Exchange
Alex: Surface Water Testing
For this environmental science lab you will chemically test a nearby creek or pond for dissolved oxygen, pH, alkalinity, hardness and turbidity. This is a field test and will determine the water quality of standing body of water. The lab...
Science Education Resource Center at Carleton College
Serc: Pathogenic Microorganisms in Water
Use this lesson plan to introduce young scholars to testing water sources for pathogenic microorganisms. Students will learn methods for groundwater sampling to evaluate water quality. Lesson plan includes student worksheets.
EL Education
El Education: "Water Quality and Future Use of Loon Pond"
An online research report entitled "2007 Report on Water Quality and Future Use of Loon Pond" by ninth grade students from Renaissance Charter School in Springfield, Massachusetts. Students completed field work testing water and applied...
EL Education
El Education: Testing the Waters
Students tested water at several sites in a local creek and write a scientific paper showing their testing and results. Scientific papers include an abstract, introduction, methods, results, and discussion including recommendations...
US Geological Survey
Usgs: Common Water Measurements
This site from the U.S. Geological Survey provides great definitions of seven measurements that can be taken on water. Includes pH, dissolved oxygen, and turbidity. Click Home to access the site in Spanish.
Other
Garden Club of America: Drinking Water Safety [Pdf]
An information page on understanding drinking water safety. It covers legislation, contaminants, private wells, water testing, water filters, and boiling water.
Science Education Resource Center at Carleton College
Serc: Mn Step: Water Quality
After observing the local aquatic environment and testing the water quality, students formulate a testable hypothesis. They next choose a second location, collect samples to bring to school, and test the water quality. Data is organized...