Aquatic Ecology
Students evaluate an aquatic ecosystem, and record observations of microscopic life, macro-invertebrates, vegetation on the water's edge, and the chemical and physical qualities of the water.
Grade Level: 5-8
Time Needed: 2.5 hour
Aquatic Ecology Module/Unit (PDF Files)
Cover page, Table of Contents, Unit At a Glance (.75 MB)
Lesson 1 - Physical and Chemical Qualities of Water
Lesson 2 - Aquatic Indicator Organisms (1.35 MB)
Lesson 3 - Plankton and Biodiversity
Lesson 4 - Aquatic Landscapes (.85 MB)
Lesson 5 - Field Study Procedures and Log Book (1.1 MB)
Downloadable PowerPoint Presentations
To download, open the link and then use the "File/Save" pulldown menu from the toolbar on your browser.
What Are Aquatic Indicator Organisms - PPt file
What Are Aquatic Indicator Organisms - Text/Script (PDF file)
How to Identify Aquatic Indicator Organisms - PPt file
How to Identify Aquatic Indicator Organisms - Text/Script (PDF file)
The Aquatic Food Web - PPt file
The Aquatic Food Web - Text/Script (PDF file)
LESSON 1- Physical and Chemical Qualities of Water
Web sites for the teacher:
Stevens Institute of Technology, Center for improved Engineering and Science Education- Down the Drain: How much water do you use?
https://gradesfixer.com/blog/motivational-quotes-on-study/
U.S. EPA- Index of Watershed Indicators
https://www.epa.gov/waterdata/watershed-index-online
U.S. EPA, Office of Water- Classroom Activities and Experiments
https://www.epa.gov/students/lesson-plans-teacher-guides-and-online-environmental-resources-educators
Web sites for the students:
U.S. EPA Office of Water- What's Up With Our Nation's Waters?
http://www.epa.gov/owow/monitoring/nationswaters/
U.S. PA Office of Water- Nonpoint Source Pollution Home Page
http://www.epa.gov/owow/nps/
USGS- Water Science for Schools
https://www.usgs.gov/special-topic/water-science-school
Center for Global Environmental Education- Watershed Action Background Information
http://cgee.hamline.edu/watershed/action/background/fact_sheets.htm
Stony Brook Millstone Watershed Association -
Managing a Watershed Resources
https://thewatershed.org/about/
LESSON 2 - Aquatic Indicator Organisms
Web sites for the teacher:
Pa. Fish and Boat Commission
http://www.fish.state.pa.us
Stroud Water Research Center
http://www.stroudcenter.org
Web sites for the students:
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. Biological Indicators of Watershed Health.
https://www.researchgate.net/publication/273440701_Biological_Indicators_of_Watershed_Health_A_Resource_and_Portal_for_EPA_Bioassessment_Activities
Government of New South Wales, Australia.
Water Bug Detective Guide.
https://www.nswwaterwatch.org.au/resources/water-bug-id-charts-and-posters
LESSON 3 - Plankton and Biodiversity
Web sites for the teacher and students:
Microscopy UK- Main Menu
http://www.microscopy-uk.net/full_menu.html
LESSON 4 - Aquatic Landscapes
Web sites for the teacher:
Abandoned Mine Drainage Education. Watershed Education.
http://www.geocities.com/~paulstan/lesson.html
Delaware River Basin Commission- Ed. Web
https://www.nj.gov/drbc/edweb/
Kid's Gardening - Let It Flow.
https://kidsgardening.org/
US Geological Survey Learning Web. What Do Maps Show?
https://pubs.er.usgs.gov/publication/70039472
Ironton Elementary School, Parkland School District, PA
Ironton Elementary School, Parkland School District, PA "The Saga of Fred the Fish" |
Mapping the Aquatic Landscape |
Macroinvertebrate Sampling |
Plankton Net |
Identifying Microscopic Organisms |
Taking a Water Sample |
Water Chemistry |
Summarizing Data |