Benthic Macroinvertebrates

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 streams....

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 Stream...

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 the two...

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...

Students identify the major components of a stream study and determine the overall health of the stream. They identify the major impacts of human activity on the health of a stream by using field equipment to accumulate and record data.

High schoolers 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.