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Watersheds - A Thematic Approach to Teaching Science

Looking for a way to build bridges between the content areas? Need to develop an interdisciplinary unit? Want to engage your students in hands-on field studies or service learning?
 
Using "Get to Know Your Watershed" as a theme for your instruction is a wonderful way to weave a number of science learning themes together.

Get to Know Your Watershed

What is a Watershed?

World Water Monitoring Day – October 18th!
People around the world will be taking to their local waters to sample water quality and post their data as part of World Water Monitoring Day events.
Find out how you can get involved.

Student Projects and Curriculum:
These nationally and internationally recognized programs are excellent resources and offer award-winning curriculum.

Resources for Watershed Studies:

More Fresh Water Resources:

Marine Resources:

A Concept Overview: Watershed Exploration Field-Based Program
Here is an example of what students can explore in Costa Rica during one of Holbrook's field-based programs.
 

Ecology Watershed Human Impact Conservation
Terrestrial Ecosystems
  • Temperate vs. Tropical Ecosystems
  • Primary vs. Secondary Forests
  • Cloud forests vs. Rainforests Riparian Habitats
  • Tropical Flora & Fauna

Aquatic Ecosystems

  • Geophysical properties
  • Chemical properties
    (healthy vs. unhealthy conditions)
  • Biological indicators of water quality
  • Concept of watershed
  • Geologic history of the watershed
  • Erosion, sedimentation, and deposition
  • Effects or impacts from other rivers in the drainage system
  • Role and importance of water quality testing in monitoring health of the watershed
  • Humans impact water quality as a result of their interaction with the watershed.
  • Positive human interaction with the watershed
  • Negative human interaction with the watershed
  • Watersheds as natural resources
  • Watersheds as recreational resources
  • Education is the key to conservation
  • Individuals and communities can sustain ably use the resources in a watershed.
  • Community based conservation initiatives
  • Government conservation initiatives

 
Water Quality Tests Chemical Biological Physical Evaluations
Proposed testing to be done at 3 to 5 sites within the watershed Temperature, pH, Dissolved Oxygen, Phosphates, Nitrates Macro Invertebrates (Indicator species are not the same as in the US) Climate, water color, riparian habitat conditions

 
If you would like more information on how you could incorporate service learning into your curriculum, please email us!

Special thanks to Marisol Mayorga for her invaluable assistance in program design, course content suggestions, and correlations to water quality monitoring curriculum.

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