Elementary Education Watershed Field Trip

• This packet offers a detailed plan for a water quality investigation of a local watershed. 
• Students will learn how to collect and record information about the water's temperature, pH, phosphates, nitrates, dissolved oxygen, and turbidity. 

Positives

• This guide includes background information for students, a field trip plan, recommendations for water tests, instructions for running the tests, and data collection sheets.
• Students will learn how the health of the watershed corresponds with the overall health of the ecosystem.
• The packet includes a glossary.

Additional Prerequisites

• This packet works with the GREEN Standard Water Monitoring Kit, which can be purchased online.
• Teachers can purchase the materials and tests for the investigation from other retailers. Aquarium stores are good places to find materials for water testing (dissolved oxygen, pH, etc.).
• Teachers should explain the safety procedures to students before going into the field to gather samples. 
• Students should cover exposed skin while they collect samples and run the tests.
• This version of the water monitoring activity is designed specifically for elementary-age students, but it can be used with students in middle and high school as well. Older students can also use this version of the activity.

Differentiation

• Teachers could bring water samples into the classroom for students to observe.
• Social studies classes could find out if local laws prevent the use of certain chemicals or fertilizers and then determine if the substances appear in the water samples.
• Other resources on this topic include this Hot Mess video on the water cycle and pollution and this interactive resource on urban water supplies.

This resource addresses the listed standards. To fully meet standards, search for more related resources.