Get Outside!

Stream Study

Class Description:

Students will examine the physical, chemical and biological properties of Sawmill Creek. Wearing wading boots (provided), and working in small groups, the students will measure temperature, pH dissolved oxygen, and stream velocity. Using nets and pictorial guides, they will sample and identify aquatic animal life. Students will evaluate the health of the stream based on their findings.

Outcomes:

Upon completion of the Stream Study class students will be able to:

  • Describe how water velocity affects the living organisms of Sawmill Creek.
  • Understand and measure the temperature, pH, and dissolved oxygen of an aquatic system.
  • Examine and report upon the diversity of aquatic creatures captured.
  • Recommend actions to preserve healthy stream environments.

Minnesota Graduation Standards

Wolf Ridge has aligned the Center's entire curriculum to Minnesota Department of Education Academic Standards. As the primary student audience at Wolf Ridge is from 4th-12th grade, the matrices address these grade levels. Teachers may request that their students focus upon a specific benchmark while attending Wolf Ridge. The Wolf Ridge Curriculum Standards Matrix addresses benchmarks in

  • Science
  • Math
  • History and Social Science
  • Language Arts
  • Arts

Wolf Ridge Curriculum Concepts:

  • All living and non-living components of an environment interact with one another to form an ecosystem.
  • A complex natural system is more stable than a simple one, and more able to absorb disturbances.
  • All living things acquire physical and behavioral adaptations to be successful in their environment.
  • See entire Wolf Ridge Curriculum Framework

 

150 px wide please

Time
3 hours total
2 hours outdoors

Audience
4th grade - adult

Activity level
strenuous

Travel
1 1/4mile

Total uphill travel
320 feet

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