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.

Total time: 3 hours (two hours outdoors)
Audience: 6-20 studetns, 4th grade through adult
Activity level: strenuous
Travel: 1 1/4 mile
Total uphill travel: 320 feet

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:

The Stream Study class will provide students with guided practice, in an authentic setting, to support the following Graduations Standards. We have chosen one to three “major focus” standards per grade level. Due to the holistic nature of environmental education, several other standards, not listed here, are addressed as well.

• H.S. Sciences: Environmental Systems, (A, B2)
• H.S. Sciences: Concepts in Biology (A)
• H.S. Sciences: Concepts in Chemistry (B2)

• 6-8th Sciences: Living Systems (2, 3)
• 6-8th Inquiry: Direct Observation (1)
• 6-8th Mathematics: Shape, Space, Measure (5)

• 4-5th Sciences: Living and Non-Living Systems (A1, 3, 4, B1, 2, 4)
• 4-5th Mathematics; Shape, Space, Measure (6)

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.

Classroom Connections*

• Journal page download
• Pre-visit activities
• Post-visit activities
• Setting up a local stream study
• Links to Stream Study information and activities on the web

*requires Wolf Ridge password