WRWP 3-6 Education Initiative

NREM 405/505With Storer Elementary

Fall 2002

Objectives 1) Students can list types of pollution related to

watersheds and will witness the way that pollution travels through a watershed.

2) Students can identify sources of pollution and the impact of generalized activities within a watershed.

3) Students can differentiate between non-point and point-source pollution.

Mission Statement

To develop a curriculum that will expose students in grades 3-6 to impacts of everyday activities on water quality and to encourage independent ideas about limiting the negative influence of human activities on water quality.

Development Procedure Two brainstorming meetings were conducted

where we put together ideas and discussed what demonstrations would be most effective.

The in-class lesson was integrated with the monitoring program to promote National Water Monitoring Day activities and solicit participation.

A lesson plan was created as a guide to any future WRWP participants who may be interested in implementing this program.

Lesson Plan Intro

Introductions of InstructorsRich ConnollySara CookMolly CrawfordKevin RhodesLisa Tegeler

Lesson Plan: Conceptual Lead In

Watershed overview containing definitions of runoff, non-point source pollution, point source pollution, watershed, groundwater, topography

Include explanation of pollution transport methods Allow for adequate time for questions and answers

during presentation

Lecture

Lesson Plan:Watershed Pool Activity

Distribute paper to students and explain that it represents sections of riverfront property

Explain what paper, pool, tarp, food coloring, and Kool-aid represent

“Build” topography Spread tarp Select students to apply “pollutants” Select students to bring the rain

Watershed Pool Demonstration

Lesson Plan:Transition to Land Use Demonstration

How did pollutants travel? (i.e. downhill, overland)

Explain role of subsurface water flow Where did pollutants end up? (i.e. lakes, rivers) What can be done to stop pollutants? (i.e.

minimize or eliminate pollution, treat on-site)

Lesson Plan: Land Use Demonstration

Break students up into groups of three or four. Give each group a section of river to develop and a role to play

(industry, private landowner, retail, public park planner, etc.) Students have 6-8 minutes to develop their space and draw it. Gather as one large group and connect the river pieces together. Have each group explain their drawing. Place markers on the

drawings symbolizing non-point source and point-source pollution. Each group explains while the pollution moves downstream with

each group’s turn.

Lesson Plan:Closing

Final question and answer session Review the problems and possible solutions Discuss what opportunities are available for the

students to make a difference Ask the students to share one thing that they

learned during the lesson

Pilot Classroom #1 Mrs. Carolyn Shobe’s 5th grade class at Storer

Elementary 25 students

Contributing Instructors:, Sara Cook, Molly Crawford, Kevin Rhodes, Lisa Tegler, Dr. James Eflin

Media Personnel: Quentin Flory

Pilot Classroom #2

Mrs. Beth Gillentine’s 4th Grade class at Storer Elementary

20 Students Contributing Instructors: Rich Connolly, Molly

Crawford, Dr. James Eflin

Suggestions for Future Demonstrators

Answer questions quickly and clearly even if they are not directly related to the activity

Feed off the students’ interests Try to involve as many students as possible in

discussions

Possible Improvements

More refined, specific questions to ask students Make adaptable for a wider age range or develop a

new procedure for younger (K-3) students Have some sort of educational material (i.e.

activity handout, coloring book) to give to students to extend interest in subject beyond the visit

Recommendations

Lesson plan can be used in the future and adapted to a wide range of audiences

Traveling lesson can be integrated with the Children’s Museum display

Can be taught by anyone involved with the White River Watershed Project

Water Monitoring Day Plug

Throughout the demonstrations we invited the students to our National Water Monitoring Day Activities on October 18, 2002.

Water samples were collected as well as various invertebrate and vertebrate samples.

The results were submitted to the Year of Clean Water website: www.yearofcleanwater.org

Water Monitoring Day

Thank You

Credits:

Rich ConnollySara Cook Molly CrawfordQuentin FloryKevin Rhodes Lisa Tegler

Thanks to: Dr. James Eflin Shareen Goldman Beth Gillentine Carolyn Shobe