Investigating Water Quality
Earth ecoSTEM Kit Materials Used: Earth Force's GREEN Water Test Kit, Probe, & Shoe Covers
ENGAGE - Students Observe This Phenomenon
GATHER
REASON
EXPLORE a Kit-Supported Learning Experience
Before introducing teacher-directed work, let small groups of students do their own research or investigations related to the questions that intrigue them. Then students will conduct tests of water chemistry, nutrients and dissolved oxygen using the included kit; make sense of data by comparing it to standards; and draw conclusions about water quality.
EVALUATE
Students should be able to make a claim about the water quality based on the data collected when conducting tests, and advance an argument from evidence using the C-E-R format.
ELABORATE
Students will collect water samples and observe specimens of bottom-dwelling macroinvertebrates, so they can infer water quality based on the variety of species and the presence of organisms that are known to be sensitive or tolerant to pollution. For more information on how to conduct macroinvertebrate sampling, check out this information.
EXTEND
The class may take on a Project-Based Learning Experience using CPF GREAT Projects- Water Pathway Or Project Hero Minnesota Freshwater Quest.
COMMUNICATE
Revised EXPLANATION
After making sense of a core idea by engaging in science or engineering practices through the lens of crosscutting concepts, students revise their original explanations of a phenomenon.
EMPOWERMENT
Students may propose and carry out solutions to address water quality, based on the evidence they collected.