PRC EAST In-School Programs

Students will learn about the process of creating electricity and how alternative energies are used to generate electricity. Students will also learn about renewable and non-renewable resources, energy trends and actions they can take to conserve energy.

Objectives:

• Students will demonstrate knowledge of basic electricity generation by building a model to demonstrate how electricity is created.
• Students will be able to define renewable and non-renewable energy.
• Students will be able to classify forms of energy as either renewable or non-renewable.
• Students will be able to describe the following alternative energies: hydro, methane, solar, wind, biomass, geothermal
• Students will be able to make recommendations on how to conserve energy.

The watershed awareness program focuses on the importance of water, what a watershed is, how water moves through a watershed as well as how pollution impacts a watershed. The students will work with an enviroscape model that allows them to put various “pollutants” in the watershed and then use water bottles to simulate rain. This allows the students to see how water travels through a watershed as well as see the various pollutants that enter our waterways that may otherwise be invisible in our water system. The program ends with a discussion/demonstration on the model of ways in which we can protect our water and watersheds.  This program can be presented alone or as an introduction to the Stream Health program.

Objectives:

• Students will be able to define the term watershed and identify the watershed in which they live.
• Students will be able to demonstrate how water moves through a watershed.
• Student will be able to differentiate between point and non-point source pollution.
• Students will be able to discuss the human impact on watersheds and how we affect and in turn are affected by the health of our watersheds.
• Students will be able to make recommendations on how to reduce the impact of pollutants on water quality.

Students will learn the ins and outs of recycling and gain the skills to reduce litter and help the environment. This program features the history of litter, what is litter, the hazards that litter presents for the environment, how students can help stop litter, and what to recycle.

Objectives:

• Students will identify how human actions affect environmental health.
• Students will be able to define reduce, reuse and recycle.
• Students will be able to distinguish between items that are compostable, recyclable or trash.
• Students will recognize how materials are recycled into new products.
• Students will be able to give examples of practices that are eco-friendly.
• Students will be able to describe the role of recycling in relation to waste management.

This program is presented at a local pond or stream accessible to the school. Students test chemical and biological properties of the water to help determine the water quality.  This includes sampling and identifying macroinvertebrates.  Macroinvertebrates serve as indicators of water quality, so the students use their findings to help assess the water quality of the stream or pond.  This program can be presented alone or as a follow up to the Watershed Awareness program.

Objectives:

• Students will be able to explain how macroinvertebrates are indicators of water quality.
• Students will test the chemical properties of the pond (pH, temperature) and use this data to help determine the stream’s health.
• Students will conduct a sampling of the macroinvertebrates that live in the pond and use the findings to help assess the stream’s water quality.
• Students will practice using field guides as tools to identify macroinvertebrates using visual observations of physical attributes.
• Students will be able to discuss the human impact on water quality and how we affect and in turn are affected by the health of our watersheds.

This is an indoor version of the Stream Health program.  Using samples that had been pre-collected and preserved, students are able to observe and identify macroinvertebrates that are found in local streams.  Macroinvertebrates serve as indicators of water quality, so the students use their findings to help assess the water quality of the stream or pond.  This program can be presented alone or as a follow up to the Watershed Awareness program.

Objectives:

• Students will be able to explain how macroinvertebrates are indicators of water quality.
• Students will practice using field guides as tools to identify macroinvertebrates using visual observations of physical attributes.
• Students will identify a sampling of macroinvertebrates and use the findings to assess the water quality.
• Students will be able to discuss the human impact on water quality and how we affect and in turn are affected by the health of our watersheds.

Students test their wings comfortably as they are introduced to the world of birds with an inviting blend of discovery and fun. Students learn what characteristics define a bird, and how to identify birds using field guides through a fun game of “Who am I?” Students then put their new skills to the test while trying to identify birds outside in their environment.

Objectives:

• Students will learn that adaptations are important for survival.
• Students will be able to define the term adaptations.
• Students will compare and contrast the attributes of birds to those of other animals.
• Student will observe, identify and document different species of birds.
• Students will practice using field guides as tools to identify birds based on visual observations of physical attributes.
• Students will record data, interpret information and form conclusions.

Stream Stewards is a STEAM based environmental education program for high school and middle school students focusing on water quality.  The program combines hands-on classroom lessons with real-world science though field trips to local streams that enable students to collect macroinvertebrates and perform water chemistry tests to learn about the health of their local waterways.

Through interactive classroom lessons,

• Students learn about local waterways and examine how they are impacted by daily actions.
• Students use an EnviroScape model to observe how pollutants such as litter, oil, pesticides and sediment can be carried into local streams and cracks through stormwater runoff.
• Students learn how aquatic insects are used as indicators of water quality. Using identification keys and preserved samples of stream insects — such as mayfly, dragonfly and cranefly larvae — students practice identifying and classifying macroinvertbrates based on their tolerance to pollution.

Students then put their classroom lessons to use in local streams.  Staff from PRC and Eastern Delaware County Stormwater Collaborative lead students on a field trip to Ridley Creek State Park where they conduct a stream health survey. Using kick nets and dip nets, students collect, identify, and release insect samples. Students also collect water samples and conduct basic water chemistry tests. By identifying the insects and analyzing data such as pH, dissolved oxygen, phosphate and nitrate levels, the students are able to form conclusions about the stream’s current health.

Students also participate in an art project focused on creating a community art display — featuring decorated wooden fish cutouts — that will be installed on local fences along with educational messages regarding water quality.