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education:
working with watersheds
Discovery Education has many lesson plans related to ecology. Topics include each biome, water in its different forms, and pollution . The lessons are divided by grade level: K-5, 6-8, 9-12, and there 25 middle school lessons from which to choose. One advantage of the site is that the lessons were created by other teachers. Fresh Water Ecology and Pollution, Elementary Themes includes basic information and lessons about freshwater properties and pollution . It is advertised as a more elementary presentation of materials. Pertinent searchable topics on freshwater ecology and pollution include: general resources, all about water, the water cycle, ground water, water in your life, and treatment of polluted water. It is a Canadian site and serves as a great reference for teachers to get more background information. Georgia Center for Law in the Public Interest is a great site containing easily understandable information regarding law and policy dealing with protection of Georgia's rivers, lakes and wetlands. The "Citizen's Guide to Fighting Water Pollution in Georgia" has great sections including a Clean Water Act overview, how to protect your watershed , and a tool kit with many other useful links. The Museum of Natural History at the University of Georgia has numerous educational resources for local and non-local schools. On this site, information is available for setting up class tours of various collections at the museum that include "Archaeology, Arthropods, Botany, Herpetology, Ichthyology, Invertebrates, Mammalogy, Ornithology, and Zooarchaeology". In addition, classrooms can check out "Science Boxes", designed for grades K-8 for up to 2 weeks. "Each box has a variety of materials on a specific natural history topic"; there are about 18 different boxes (such as "Fish", "Fossils", "Insects", "Oceans") and there will soon be a "Water" box with local watershed information. Some of the boxes and exploration kits contain lesson plans. Also, check on the Georgia Wildlife Web, which contains tons of information about all types of local animals found in Georgia. SeaWorld and Busch Gardens have developed curriculum for grades 4-8 about water, "Water: A teacher's guide". The unit includes background information that students can read online, activities, and a vocabulary page about water properties, water quality , and water use . There is detailed information on water's chemical properties, and much more basic information on water. *** United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has developed a "Teacher Center" webpage that provides curriculum, background information, and links to other credible websites (see links to Ecosystems, Conservation, and Water). Also, see specifically the "Wetlands Education" webpage, which provides links to classroom activities, curriculum, education programs, and teaching tools, and the "Classroom Activities" webpage, which provides an activity and reading list, and links to other resources. Most activities/curriculum are do not have listed teaching standards or grade levels, however the suggested readings have excellent reviews and are listed by grade level. ***The River Basin Center maintained and developed by the Institute of Ecology at the University of Georgia has a wealth of information pertaining to the Altamaha River and other water resources in Georgia. Under the Altamaha Initiative, there are many useful annotated "Education" links that have great watershed and environmental ecology curriculum. Other links under "Georgia", "Altamaha Watershed", "General Environmental", and "Government" are useful resources to obtain background information for teachers and/or for student research. Useful information about the Altamaha and curriculum developed by former UGA environmental and law students can also be found under "Education - resources for k-12 students and teachers". The United States Geologic Survey (USGS) has many links to "water resources information for students and teachers." Information about water, watersheds, groundwater , and where to find more local information is included. Resources are helpful for both students and teachers. There are also links to national partnering agencies. *** Watershed Connections is a "Guide to Watershed Activities for Georgia Teachers." There is a wealth of information about watersheds and watershed activities for students. Activities were chosen to represent the wide range of topics that relate to watershed studies. Information is split into several categories: introduction to watersheds, properties of watersheds, biota, watershed issues, and human connections to water. There is also a "links" section that provides additional recommended websites and materials. Other Lesson Compilation Websites The Gateway to Educational Materials SM is a consortium effort to provide educators with quick and easy access to thousands of educational resources found on various federal, state, university, non-profit, and commercial Internet sites." A search of the keyword "watershed " provides 116 hits for water activities. National Geographic Xpeditions has lessons available for grades 6-8 covering many relevant watershed topics, which include, rivers, introduced species , and conservation . A search for the keyword "water" under grades 6-8 returns 71 science and geography lessons and search for the keyword "watershed" returns 12 lessons. The teacher lesson plans provide information on the objectives, materials needed (some lessons require the internet), time for completion of each lesson, background information, and suggestions. Practical Resources and Interactive Science Materials (P.R.I.S.M.) provides many educational resources for teachers. Readings and activities for students are "searchable by subject, subtopic, multimedia type, year or CSF level and other criteria." For example, a search for "water" returns 2 "categories" that each have several lessons and activities. In addition, students/teachers can create their own websites or virtual environments. Public Broadcasting Service (PBS) Teacher Source offers lesson plans and activities searchable by grade and curriculum topics, "interdisciplinary activity ideas" that cross curriculum topics, and "recommended books and recommended links". A search for "water" at the middle school level yielded 51 different lessons; in addition, there are many suitable water/watershed topics under "Ecology", "Animals", "Oceanography", and other Science topics. Each lesson plan has a link below "Standards Match", which can be searched by State standards (QCC). In addition, many lesson plans include a related video product - you may also go online to search videos or online video clips from the PBS NOVA series, follow the link for Teachers, and then search by Subject. The Science Behind our Food Program was created with the help of a National Science Foundation grant. Graduate teaching fellows at the University of Georgia have developed lesson plans on a wide array of topics, in conjunction with gaining hands-on experience teaching in local high schools. Many of the lessons, however, are applicable for middle school students. *** Watershed Connections is a "Guide to Watershed Activities for Georgia Teachers." There is a wealth of information about watersheds and watershed activities for students. Activities were chosen to represent the wide range of topics that relate to watershed studies. Information is split into several categories: introduction to watersheds, properties of watersheds, biota, watershed issues, and human connections to water. There is also a "links" section that provides additional recommended websites and materials. Internet Lessons for Students Websites Bell Live! was developed by Bell Museum of Natural History, provides "electronic field trips seek to excite and engage youth about environmental science and the role humans play in the natural world" (Grades 4-8). Included on this website is the "Watershed Game", where students take a trip through the watershed and learn about making management decisions as they travel through various landscapes, including National Parks, agricultural areas, neighborhoods, and cities. In order to use this, students must have access to internet. Great game! Purdue University has developed a great reference site developed by Purdue University. It provides fact sheets and some watershed lessons. It is a great place to have students work if there is internet access in the classroom. Also, there are suggestions for getting involved locally. ***Summit to the Sea informs the general public, educators, students and policy makers about the importance of Georgia's rivers and their watersheds. It provides scientific data, geological and geographical information, along with information about threats to the region, native plants, animals, and more. The site also gives recommendations to help protect and preserve Georgia's unique natural resources. It includes a map of land use in the Altamaha river basin from its headwaters, all the way downstream where it reaches the ocean. Adopt-a-Stream, Adopt-a-Watershed is a popular program to adopt a certain portion of a local water. If you and your class want a way to sample local water and help contribute data to the long-term data collection projects. The program is intended to help promote public responsibility. Earthday Network (EDN) What's In Your Water? promotes watershed awareness and encourages students to become involved in civic action to protect water resources. "Get ready for Earth Day by measuring the health of local water resources." In addition, the website had a link to an "Educator's Resources Guide (PDF)" that has information on how to get your classroom involved in water quality activities during Earth Day, background information regarding water quality and water resources, and 4 lesson plans and numerous activity ideas. All are geared at grades 5-8. Earthwater is a program to help raise public awareness about water runoff . If you are looking to set up a project in the community to raise awareness about pollution , consider the initiative promoted by Earthwater. Using stencils, students can spray paint "Dump no waste. Drains to stream" as a step in raising public awareness about stormwater. Georgia Center for Law in the Public Interest is a great site containing easily understandable information regarding law and policy dealing with protection of Georgia's rivers, lakes and wetlands. The "Citizen's Guide to Fighting Water Pollution in Georgia" has great sections including a Clean Water Act overview, how to protect your watershed , and a tool kit with many other useful links. National Wildlife Federation (NWF) Schoolyard Habitat Program is a way for your classroom or entire school to get involved in an environmental project that provides an ecosystem and essential habitat for animals in your watershed . Once enrolled in the program, your site may become a certified outdoor learning center. In addition, the program provides interdisciplinary, standards-based curriculum. |
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