Biological Assessment - Other Resources
Bridging the Watershed
is a program of the Alice Ferguson Foundation (AFF) in partnership with
the National Park Service (NPS) and area schools, designed to promote
student academic achievement and environmental stewardship through
hands-on curriculum-based outdoor studies in national parks and public
lands. Lesson modules with background information are available online
as well as park-specific curriculum units, to prepare students for their
field studies and provide guidance for data analysis after a field
study. AFF provides lesson plans, in-school visits, guided field
experiences, and teacher professional development opportunities. Curriculum modules; Stream macroinvertebrate identification.
Montgomery County Public Schools Stream / Pond Study: Students investigate the local watershed and work in groups to assess the health of a nearby stream or pond using various indicators. Stream study lesson plan, data collection sheet (includes chemical and physical parameters), and macroinvertebrate identification key from Save Our Streams.
World Water Monitoring Challenge – World Water Monitoring Day helps watershed
leaders, educators and trained volunteers to educate students and
citizens how the actions of individuals in a watershed can impact
environmental quality and human health.
Benthic Macroinvertebrate Portal for learning about and identifying stream-bottom macroinvertebrates, from the Cacapon Institute.
NASA GLOBE Program (Global Learning and Observation to Benefit the Environment) Students
and scientists investigate hydrology through the collection of data
using measurement protocols and using instruments which meet certain
specifications in order to ensure that data are comparable. Learning
activities aid in the understanding of important scientific concepts,
the understanding of data and data collection methodologies. Includes
macroinvertebrate sampling.
For brackish or salt water streams and creeks
Monitoring Estuarine Water Quality
– NOAA Data in the Classroom – chemical water quality testing for
brackish water/estuaries – includes five activities designed for grades
6-8 that incorporate real data from the National Oceanic and
Atmospheric Administration (NOAA).
EPA Volunteer Estuary Monitoring Manual. Unit 3 covers Biological Measures.
Resources for Teachers
Find a Stream Near YouBackground and Classroom PreparationStream Study Activities
Biological Assessment of Stream Health
Chemical Water Quality Testing
Stream Corridor Assessment – Physical Features
Sharing and Analyzing Data – Tools for InquiryStream Stewardship Action ProjectsAdditional Educational ResourcesStream Study Equipment