How Healthy Is This Water and How Can You Tell?

Youth will collect samples from bodies of water and analyze the different chemical indicators found within them to conclude overall water quality and why based on what’s been observed.

Affinity Goals

• Conservationism

• Tinkerer

• Designer

• Altruist

• Inventor

• Investigator

A Home of their Own

This lesson addresses the concept of biodegradable matter. Youth will build their own mini vermiculture composting bin and set up for investigations exploring composting, vermiculture, decomposition and nutrient rich soil for plants.

• Conservationist

• Investigator

• Tinkerer

Anatomy of a Worm

This lesson will consider why the compost is a good habitat for the worms. It will examine the anatomy of a worm and how the anatomy of a work contributes to the quality of the compost. This lesson will investigate the quality of the compost as a growing environment for plants.

• Conservationist

• Investigator

Wonderful Worms

In this lesson youth will conduct an investigation to observe movement and behavior of living worms. Youth will collect data from their observations.

• Conservationist

• Investigator

What turtles can we find in our local aquatic systems?

This activity will explore the different species of aquatic turtles in your local water systems using mark and recapture methods of trapping.

• Conservationist

• Investigator

• Altruist

Binoculars

In this lesson, the facilitator introduces youth to a birder’s most important piece of equipment – binoculars. Birds can be difficult to see without extending our eyesight and we use binoculars to bring objects that are far away much closer.

• Investigator

Practicing Bird Identification

In this lesson, youth will watch a live stream of a bird feeding station and answer questions.

• Investigator

• Designer

• Tinkerer

Birds Watching

In this lesson, you will watch a live stream. After reviewing the process involved when making observations, the facilitator gives the following instructions. For five minutes we are going to view the live stream of a bird set up in Ohio.

• Investigator

Birders Most Important Equipment

In this lesson, the facilitator shares several kinds of bird field guides and identification apps. Before youth can offer an opinion about a bird identification they must be able to list at least three characteristics that make them think that they have correctly identified the bird.

• Inventor

• Altruist

• Conservationist

Bugging Out

Youth will be collecting leaf litter and soil samples to sift through with the goal of identifying six different microorganisms. This will be completed by comparing found microorganisms with a key that matches physical characteristics with insect names.

• Investigator

What kind of frogs can we hear around us?

This activity will explore the different species of frogs and toads that live in our local areas using identification methods to monitor frog activity, which can then be reported to frog monitoring programs - such as the NC Calling Amphibian Survey Program (CASP).

• Conservationist

• Investigator

Challenge System

This system is an optional chance for youth to really work independently toward fostering their understanding of science, and specifically stormwater runoff at their own home or neighborhood.

• Altruist

• Tinkerer

• Conservationist

• Designer

• Inventor

• Investigator

Getting to Know the Park with Geocaching

How can we get to know your local/state parks? Youth will discover the layout, terrain, and inhabitants of the park using temporary geocaches, each with a different youth-led activity.

• Investigator

How has the world changed?

This activity will allow youth to see how Earth’s landscape has changed due to natural/man-made phenomena. Youth will understand and use technological systems and tie in the related concepts of environment, transformation, consequence, and evidence.

• Tinkerer

• Designer

• Inventor

• Altruist

• Investigator

How quickly does water move?

This activity is intended to encourage youth to see the connection between stormwater runoff and infiltration. Youth will apply the concept of infiltration to different types of ground materials and observe how different soil and vegetation can affect the rate of infiltration.

• Tinkerer

• Designer

• Inventor

• Altruist

• Investigator

In Pursuit of Wonder

This lesson explores the distinction between green and brown compost. It engages youth in disciplinary practices: collaborative discussion, making conjectures based on evidence, asking questions, devising possible means for better scientific understanding.

• Investigator

• Conservationist

• Designer

• Altruist

Introduction to Birds

In this lesson, the facilitator introduces the Bird Project and asks youth what kinds of questions they have about birds and what kinds of investigations they are interested in completing as a part of this project.

• Investigator

• Conservationist

• Tinkerer

• Altruist

Maker Space Activity

Youth will go through the L.A.U.N.C.H. cycle by developing an app that can be used by visitors of Haw River State Park to enrich their experience.

• Tinkerer

• Designer

• Inventor

• Investigator

What potential risks should youth look out for?

Nature, and being outdoors is a great approach for youth to take risks. Healthy risk-taking prepares youth to be more observant and make good decisions. In this activity, youth will learn to take the necessary safety measures while on the trail.

• Tinkerer

• Designer

• Inventor

• Altruist

What is permeable material?

Youth will analyze the permeability of surfaces and how the permeability of pavement can impact the amount of stormwater runoff in an area. In order to do this, they will create a walkable and permeable “pavement” using limited resources and a limited bud.

• Tinkerer

• Designer

• Inventor

• Altruist

• Investigator

Practicing Bird Identification

In this lesson, the facilitator provides several kinds of field guides and youth have downloaded at least one free bird identification app, starting with Merlin. The facilitator shares several different flat birds and youth practice their identification skills

• Designer

• Investigator

Soil- sad, so-so, or sensational?

This lesson will explore the content and quality of soil. It will provide youth the opportunity to engage in disciplinary taks: observation, testing, sharing and using data, making scientific arguments supported with evidence

• Conservationist

• Investigator

How can you manage stormwater runoff in a town watershed?

Watersheds are areas of land that act as mediums for water to flow into different bodies of water such as streams, rivers, basins, etc. Stormwater runoff has polluting particles in it which can make bodies of water unhealthy. In this activity, youth will select, sample and budget simulations of best management practices regarding stormwater runoff.

• Altruist

• Tinkerer

• Designer

• Investigator

Stormwater Sleuthing

Youth will go on a stormwater sleuthing walk around their schools, taking pictures of notable areas where stormwater runoff problems may occur.

• Investigator

• Designer

How can we improve a trail with low impact on wildlife?

In this activity, youth will identify problems such as slope, erosion, gulleying, pooling/puddling, uneven spots, leaf debris push and come up with solutions.

• Investigator

• Tinkerer

• Designer

• Altruist

• Inventor

Water Chemistry

Youth will collect samples from bodies of water and analyze the pH, turbidity, dissolved oxygen, nitrogen compounds, and temperature to establish the overall water quality. Youth will assess water quality, why the water is as healthy/unhealthy as it is, and consider the sources of the chemical indicators.

• Investigator

• Tinkerer

• Inventor

• Designer

• Altruist

• Conservationist

Water Filter Challenge

This lesson is an engineering challenge to provide youth the opportunity to apply the content taught in the Water Filter Activity. Youth will measure turbidity of the water and design water filters to improve stream quality and conditions for macroinvertebrates.

• Tinkerer

• Conservationist

• Designer

• Altruist

Cadence the Caddisfly and Stream Flow

Youth will be analyzing the impact of stream flow and turbidity at local streams, creeks, and rivers on macro-invertebrates, specifically Caddisfly and its larvae. 

• Investigator

• Conservationist

How can we communicate our science?

In this activity youth will be introduced to successful advocacy campaigns, and what makes them so recognizable and effective at persuading and captivating their audiences.

• Altruist

• Designer

• Inventor

• Investigator

How can I be prepared for the state park?

This lesson will provide detailed instructions for facilitators to follow before embarking on the trail at a State Park. This document includes guidelines, safety measures, and materials needed for this journey.

• Investigator

• Tinkerer

• Conservationist

• Inventor