Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Is Our Water Healthy?

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students test water for a least one chemical characteristic. They hypothesize how a storm event might change the chemical characteristics of a stream. Students collect water samples and use the chemical test to test the water.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

How Much Water is in That River?

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students practice measurement using the Hudson River. They calculate the discharge measurement at a location on the Hudson River using ingenuity and a topographic map.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Life In Extreme Environments

For Teachers 6th - 12th
Students work together to design and participate in experiments to determine the rate rotifers eat. After completing their experiments, they record and analyze their data and identify any challenges faced during the procedure. They...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Fishing

For Teachers K - Higher Ed
Students explore the techniques and basic needs of the fisherman.  In this fishing lesson, students view a demonstration of the use of fishing equipment. Students research Iowa farm ponds and design a class mural from their...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Estuaries, Estuarine Habitats, and Adaptations

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Middle schoolers conduct research on estuaries. They design and construct an estuary, describe the physical characteristics of an estuary, and create a diagram illustrating an estuarine food web.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Climate Change-Boon or Bust for Northern Waters?

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students explore about and evaluate the potential impacts of climate change on northern hydrological systems. They work in small groups, research the background to climate change in the north with a particular focus on lakes and rivers.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Hawaii's Freshwater Animals - Species Report

For Teachers 4th - 5th
Young scholars explore biology by creating a report for the class. In this oceanography lesson, students research and identify the survival characteristics of a list of freshwater animals by utilizing the Internet and library. Young...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Who Lives In The Water

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Pupils investigate the environment of a stream or lake to collect and observe macroinvertebrates in their natural environment. They record data and summarize the information obtained. Students look to see if there has been any human...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Temperature and Brine Shrimp Eggs

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students determine the optimal temperature at which brine shrimp eggs hatch and develop. They evaluate the changes, if any, which occur in a brine shrimp culture at various temperatures.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Wacky Water Critters

For Teachers 4th - 9th
Students visit a local creek or stream. They collect water samples from the creek and observe and sort the "water critters" they find in the sample, observing smaller organisms under a microscope if necessary. They identify each organism...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Life in the Kelp Forest

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Young scholars research and create a marine food web to learn about plants and animals in a kelp forest. For this marine food web lesson, students draw lines between kelp forest predators and prey and show the flow of energy in the food...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Invasive Species

For Teachers 3rd - 5th
Students study exotic and native species, and examine how exotic species can impact native ones. They study how the mute swan effects native species.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Mold

For Teachers K - 12th
Students explore mold, the different types and the health risks that they pose.  In this mycelium lesson students grow different molds and see which type of foods mold the fastest. 
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Relating Number of Insect Species to Water Quality

For Teachers 3rd - 5th
Students are asked to respond to questions such as:" Have there been surveys of the area to inventory the species?" (For example, for a wetland area, do they know what amphibians live there and how abundant they are?) Are there any...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Water Quality Survey: Monitoring the Sustainability of Pigeon Creek

For Teachers 9th - 12th
High schoolers research the History of Pigeon Creek (or any watershed in your area). In this environmental science lesson plan, students conduct field tests such as pH and nitrates. They collect data and compare what they collected with...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Mussel Movements

For Teachers 4th - 8th
Learners consider the impact of invasive species on local environments. In this ecology lesson, watch the video, Arizona Wildlife Views, which focuses on invasive species. Students develop vocabulary, relate to meaningful comprehension...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Urban Impact on Chollas Creek (California): A Field Study

For Teachers 6th - 12th
Students, in groups, take samples from a creek and keep a field journal on their samples. They also perform tests on their samples.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Build a Bug

For Teachers 6th - 12th
Students design an ideally adapted macroinvertebrate to live in a water habitat. They illustrate their animal, name it and specify the adaptations it has that enable it to survive.
Lesson Plan
Science Education Resource Center at Carleton College

Serc: Investigating Aquatic Ecosystems: Macroinvertebrates and Water Quality

For Teachers 9th - 10th
Students will investigate three aquatic ecosystems (pond, stream, bog) to determine the relative pollution index and the water quality of each ecosystem. They will collect and analyze the benthic organisms found in each system and...
Activity
Texas Instruments

Texas Instruments: Probing an Aquatic Ecosystem

For Teachers 6th - 8th
In this activity, students' use a pH sensor and Temperature Sensor to measure and compare the pH and temperature of three aquariums over a period of several weeks. They will compare and understand how plants and animals affect the water...
Lesson Plan
Science Education Resource Center at Carleton College

Serc: Identifying Macroinvertebrates to Determine Health of Aquatic Ecosystem

For Teachers 9th - 10th
In this hands on activity students will learn how to identify basic macroinvertebrate using a dichotomous key. They will complete a chart used by the MPCA and we will discuss why an ecosystem may not be healthy or not.
Lesson Plan
Science Education Resource Center at Carleton College

Serc: Mn Step: Stream Study: An Investigation of an Aquatic Ecosystem

For Teachers 6th - 8th
For this activity, pupils visit a local stream over a 9-week period to take measurements of its chemical and physical attributes, and collect information about the life forms it supports. After exploration, they will choose what they...
Unit Plan
CK-12 Foundation

Ck 12: Earth Science: Flow of Matter in Ecosystems

For Students 9th - 10th
[Free Registration/Login may be required to access all resource tools.] In this module, students will learn about the cycles of nature (water, carbon, nitrogen, and phosphorus) that support the flow of nutrient matter through an...
Lesson Plan
Other

Project Wild: Aquatic Times [Pdf]

For Teachers 3rd - 5th
Teach students to be more aware of issues surrounding aquatic animals and their habitats. Includes lesson, extension activities, and evaluation ideas.