How diverse are the benthic organisms found in local streams? Using the information learned in previous lessons on identification of macroinvertebrates and on calculating stream index values, groups determine the health of local...

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.

What kind of organisms are living in the stream? After an explanation on how to use a dichotomous key, groups of three to four use the keys to identify macroinvertebrates from a local freshwater stream. Using the the concept of...

Do golf courses affect the water organisms in nearby streams and ponds? Small groups collect samples of water upstream and downstream from a golf course and analyze the macroinvertebrates found and the stream index values of...

In this lesson, learners properly use a taxonomic key to identify benthic organisms. Students go onto collect aquatic macroinvertabrate and then ennumerate all organisms colelcted. The culminating activity is the Project Watershed...

Students study outside sources of energy that are associated with the headwater streams in northern Michigan. They study how leaf fall is an important food source for macroinvertebrates and how photosynthesis drives the production of...

Young scholars work together to examine water quality. They identify the indicators of water quality and complete an experiment. They discuss their results.

Learners observe organisms behavior and adaptations.  In this biomes instructional activity students conduct fieldwork to determine water quality and answer questions about the differences between different habitats. 

Students are presented with a hypothetical situation to investigate the water quality of the James River. They are given data to analyze and put into the graphic organizer that is included to help solve the problem. The lesson includes...

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...

In this investigation of macroinvertebrates, students will build rock baskets and place them in various parts of a river to collect insects. Students will group insects according to their pollution tolerance and use the PTI to determine...

By looking at the bottom dwelling macroinvertebrates, students will investigate water quality and habitat quality in this field lab. Students will record the number of creatures found at the bottom of a pond, lake, ditch, stream or river...

This is a comprehensive and detailed site providing information on aquatic macroinvertebrates. The emphasis is on biomonitoring of water quality through quantitative assessment of numbers and types of small aquatic organisms.