Students learn the components of a watershed, identify examples of point and nonpoint source pollution, and then build a 3-D watershed model.
In this lab activity, students investigate three aquatic ecosystems to determine the relative pollution index and the water quality of each ecosystem. Students collect and analyze benthic organisms found in each system in order to conduct a water quality assessment.
In this lesson, students will be able to conduct an experiment using leaf packs.
Students learn about the relationships among water quality, water pollution (point and nonpoint sources), personal lifestyle, and the ecological health of a river basin. Although this module focuses on the Lake Pontchartrain Basin, the activities and content can be applied to any river basin.
In this field lab, students will explore macroinvertebrates found in a pond system near the middle school. They will explore and observe, then focus on a particular objective from information shared by all groups. Students will then formulate a question and procedures to "test" their question.
In this short video, accompanying activity, and readings, students learn about wetlands by exploring the wetlands at Haw River State Park.
Students identify causes and effects of pollution in watersheds.
Plastic bottles are used to simulate the link between land and sea. Students investigate some of the potential impacts increased nutrient use on land can have on the marine environment.
In this activity, students collect and observe macroinvertebrates from a local freshwater stream.
Through a literacy connection with Ocean! Waves for all by Stacy McAnulty and Illustrated by David Litchfield, students will engineer a solution to help the oceans and humans maintain balance given constraints.
This multimedia resource, part of the NC Science Now series, describes how researchers at UNCCH-IMS have developed a water testing system, using a genetic technology method, to rapidly test coastal waters which will decrease the time needed to notify the public about contamination. Components of this resource include a video and a related blog article. Links to these components are provided on the page under the heading "UNC-TV Media."
This course was created by the Rethink Education Content Development Team. This course is aligned to the NC Standards for 8th Grade Science.
This course was created by the Rethink Education Content Development Team. This course is aligned to the NC Standards for 8th Grade Science.
This course was created by the Rethink Education Content Development Team. This course is aligned to the NC Standards for 8th Grade Science.
In this lesson, students will be able to evaluate the relationship between biodegradable waste and dissolved oxygen in water. Students will be able to explain the relationship between oxygen levels, bacteria and the breakdown of organic matter using an indicator solution.
VLab: Stream EcologyInvestigate how pollutants affect a stream's temperature, dissolved oxygen, and inhabitants.
In this field study lesson, students will investigate a nearby stream. Students will develop a procedure for the investigation and collect data at the stream based upon their particular protocol over a period of nine weeks.
Students analyze data and maps to understand how increased population growth impacts the water quality of the Chesapeake Bay. Then they explore how the health of the Bay affects its animals.
In this lesson, students will learn about the natural movement of water through a watershed and how human activity can be either detrimental or beneficial to the stream environment.
In this lesson, students will explore how rural communities protect water supplies.