Take the Clean Water Challenge! Led by Wyland and Dr. Sylvia Earle, this unique program uses science and art activities to guide students as they explore aquatic ecosystems. The wealth of information and variety of hands-on investigations will encourage students to become stewards of Earth’s vital water habitats. The lessons and activities align with national science and art education standards.
Contents Include:
- a comprehensive full-color Teacher Resource Guide
- five sets of supplemental Eco Guides featuring rivers, lakes, wetlands, oceans, and estuaries
- reproducible student activities book
- colorful activity cards
- habitat posters by Wyland
- CD-ROM of printable content materials from the program The boxed kit features 18 interactive units, complete with lessons and student activities that build knowledge and appreciation of our rivers, lakes, wetlands, estuaries, and the ocean. Students will learn about the human impacts on our water resources, how water connects us all, and how each of us can make a difference in protecting our aquatic ecosystems.
This new and exciting program for Grades 5 through 8 is available through
Blue Star Education Acknowledgements About the Program Program Components Alignment Charts Student Eco-guide Supplements
- Ocean - with features on California kelp forests and the coral reefs of the Florida Keys and Flower Garden Banks
- Wetlands - with a feature on the Florida Everglades
- Estuaries - with a feature on the Chesapeake Bay
- Lakes - with a feature on the Great Lakes
- Rivers - with a feature on the Mississippi River
Sample Activities
- Students will compare amounts of saltwater, freshwater, and available freshwater n Earth and will identify ways that water is important to the planet and to their daily lives. They will log their household’s indoor water usage and create both a pie chart and a pictograph to communicate that information. They will then evaluate which method they feel best represents the information and whether their views on the importance of water and conservation issues have changed.
- Students will learn about what children are doing on other places in the world to help the environment in their local communities. Students will research a local aquatic ecosystem and create organism cards, an above/below illustration, and information on human impacts to share with others. They will summarize their learning by creating a student profile of their own that includes a statement of what they can do to help the environment.
- Students will work individually and in groups to research a water ecosystem. They will research one organism from this ecosystem in detail and depict this animal in a large group mural.
