What is in the pond?
Summary
In this environmental education lab, students identify macro-invertebrates that are present in a nearby aquarium, stream, or pond. Based on the animals found and students make predictions about the health of the water. Then using a water testing kit, students test for temperature, dissolved oxygen, nitrate, pH, and ammonia of the water. Students will record results and compare their predictions from the macro-invertebrate investigation to the results of the water testing. The students then summarize their findings and report the findings to the class, teacher, and or local water quality officials. Once this activity has been completed for several years or student cycles, classes can compare their results with the results of previous classes. If there is a significant difference, students can then study the reason for the change.
Learning Goals
Key vocabulary would include the names of larvae being found in the water sample, macroinvertebrates, riffle, stream, pond, stagnant.
Context for Use
Description and Teaching Materials
The lesson is introduced by playing Are You Me? from Project Wild Aquatic pages 2-7. Point out the macro-invertebrates in the game. Students then research common freshwater macro-invertebrates using the website http://www.epa.gov/bioiweb1/html/benthosid.html
Day 2
Field trip to nearby water source such as a pond or stream. Using dipnets and seine nets, students collect as many macro-invertebrate samples. Using a identification key such as students identify the insects and crustacea found in the body of water. They note the number and amount of each organism found. They also note water temperature, test for dissolved oxygen, nitrates, and pH. They record observations in observation notebook.
Day 3-5
Students return to classroom and create a informational page for a class book on a macro-invertebrate they found in the water. The book can be bound together as a field guide for that body of water.
Teaching Notes and Tips
Assessment
Standards
6.I.B4 Science inquiry