Lesson Plan Title:   EXPLORING THE water quality of streams in a local wetland region

Developer: Jean Vitarius, So. Westchester BOCES 

Objective:  Students will identify and compare the water quality of local streams in Westchester County. This can be adapted to other local watersheds.

Investigation Goals:

    Students will learn about different types of wetlands, using this presentation and other resources.

    Students will demonstrate what they have learned by completing the Wetlands PowerPoint assignment.

    Students will assess collected local stream monitoring data, and use computer to present their analysis in the form of  tables and graphs. 

    Students will investigate the pH, conductivity, chlorine, nitrate, and dissolved oxygen in a flowing stream. After analyzing the data,  students will determine which meet the 
    guidelines of a healthy stream.

Materials: 

    Water quality testing kits
    Waders, collecting nets, first aid kit, and other appropriate materials

What parameters will be monitored?

To achieve a complete understanding of the water quality changes over time, the physical, chemical and biological characteristics of the sampling sites will be assessed. The specific parameters being tested are listed in the table below.

All data will be collected at the same time in the morning (to avoid variability caused by normal daily fluctuations) according to the following schedule:

• Chemical and physical

Weekly during the summer months

Monthly during the winter months

• Macro-invertebrates twice a year, one in spring and one in fall

General Procedure:

Have students view the presentation about wetlands.
Have students read accompanying article about water quality parameters.
Develop appropriate protocols for collection and analysis of collected water and macro-invertebrate samples. .
Select a suitable set of streams and following guidelines for sample collection.
Process water samples, and use a dichotomous key to identify macro-invertebrates.
Create appropriate reports of results following a "scientific-style" format.

Selected Online Resource:

Students will use data provided on the Westchester Government website on water quality http://cvmp.westchestergov.com/cvmp/cvmpDocs/AppendixB.pdf

http://wetlands.fws.gov/

http://training.fws.gov/catalog/coursecontents.html

http://cvmp.westchestergov.com/cvmp/cvmpDocs/AppendixB.pdf 

Assessment Strategies

As appropriate, evaluate through written quizzes, rubric for reports, creation of the powerpoint, achievement of computer skills (e.g., data graphing), and other strategies.  

Enrichment/Extension

Invite an expert in the field of “Wetland Management” for a presentation.

Have students present their work to elementary school classes.