Coastal Habitats & Species—Salinity and Tides Summary: Students learn about tides and salinity in estuaries. Based on observations of time-lapse models of tides and salinity distribution in an estuary, students make predictions about salinity changes, and use salinity data to generate graphs to explain salinity patterns in an estuary. Concepts to teach: pH, temperature, dissolved […]
Coastal Habitats & Species—Survival in an Estuary Summary: Students will investigate the range of conditions that selected animal and plant species need to survive in an estuarine environment. They examine and analyze data for abiotic factors to determine if a particular species would survive in an estuary under the given conditions. Concepts to teach: Ecology, […]
Introduction—Mapping Watersheds & Estuaries Summary: In these activities, students use remote sensing imagery to explore and classify natural and human derived land uses in watershed ecosystems. The activity from Estuaries 101 focuses on the San Francisco Bay Estuarine Research Reserve, and students trace the extent of its watershed using Google Earth. In the TIDES activity, […]
Introduction—Observing Estuaries Summary: Students will investigate landforms and features associated with estuaries. They will then use Google Earth and other resources to engage in a scavenger hunt to locate and identify said estuarine landforms and features. Concepts to teach: Habitats and Species; Landforms; Estuaries Goals: Students will learn what an estuary is and the various […]
Coastal Ecology—Watershed Health Summary: The health of watersheds can be affected by a myriad of factors, and watershed councils and managers often must prioritize issues and projects for local regions. In this topic guide, students connect with local watershed councils to identify, learn more about, and participate in the resolution of current local watershed issues. […]
Coastal Habitats & Species—Salmon Studies Summary: Through water quality monitoring, assess habitat suitability for salmon. Concepts to teach: Adaptations, survival, migration, freshwater vs. saltwater habitats Goals: Students will learn about the unique life cycle and migration habits of salmon and how they find their way back to their freshwater breeding grounds. Standards: H.2L.2, H.3S.1, H.3S.2, […]
Coastal Habitats & Species—Macroinvertebrates Summary: Students will examine different aquatic habitats, collect macroinvertebrates from each and use an index to determine water quality based on the relative presence and absence of tolerant and intolerant species of macroinvertebrates found in each sample. Concepts to teach: Aquatic habitats and species, biomonitoring Goals: Students will understand how macroinvertebrates […]
Introduction—Mapping Watersheds & Estuaries Summary: In these activities, students use remote sensing imagery to explore and classify natural and human derived land uses in watershed ecosystems. The activity from Estuary Education focuses on the San Francisco Bay Estuarine Research Reserve, and students trace the extent of its watershed using Google Earth. In the TIDES activity, […]
Introduction—Watershed Modeling Summary: Students will create and explore small scale models of watersheds made from either paper or in a large group using a shower curtain. Students work to identify various living and nonliving features within their model and look at how they function within a watershed. Run-off, erosion, and sources of pollution are explored […]
Introduction—Watershed Walk Summary: This topic guide focuses on introducing students to watersheds by experiencing the one right outside their door. Students begin by using mapping programs and brief activities to learn about the water cycle and how water moves through the watershed. Students will then engage in a guided watershed walk on local school grounds […]