Grade Levels: K-6
Objective: Students will learn about their local watershed and how it is connected to the community and the environment.
Resources: EnviroAtlas interactive tools, local maps.
Lesson Details:
- Introduction (10 minutes): Explain what a watershed is and its importance in environmental health and community well-being.
- Activity 1: Map My Watershed (30 minutes): Students use the EnviroAtlas tool to find and map their local watershed. Discuss the various land uses within the watershed and their potential impacts on water quality.
- Activity 2: Outdoor Exploratory Session (30 minutes): If feasible, take students on a field trip to a nearby water body or wetland within their watershed. They can observe and record different land uses and their possible effects on the water body.
- Conclusion (15 minutes): Students present their findings and reflect on how they can contribute to the health of their watershed.
Assessment: Evaluate students based on their engagement with the mapping tool and the insights they provide during the discussion and field trip.
For a hands-on module and additional resources, refer to the lesson plan from EnviroAtlas (US EPA).