Watershed Education Programs
PRWC offers a number of hands-on activities to students, scouts, camps, and community organizations. Programs can be tailored to any age group, from 3 to 103! Most activities can be taught indoors or out, depending on your group’s needs. Programs are linked to the CT Learning Standards. Contact us for more information.
What is a Watershed?
Using watershed models, students learn to make predictions about where water will end up after it rains and make observations about how streams flow together. Students determine which hills feed a particular stream and learn how to define a watershed. Adapted from: Project WET.
Incredible Journey
Students journey through the water cycle from the perspective of a water drop, and see how there is much more to the cycle than precipitation, evaporation, and condensation. Students will also learn how much water is on the planet and where we find it. From: Project WET.
Connecticut Waterway
Communities
Students explore the history of the changing needs of settlements along Connecticut rivers and how historic mills harnessed the power of the river, impacted the land, and produced goods.
Stormwater in a Jar
Students learn which common pollutants can be found in stormwater, how they get into our nearby waterbodies, and how to reduce or eliminate stormwater pollution.
Sum of the Parts
Using creative artistic and/or writing skills, participants sketch out their wildest waterfront property dreams. Then, students look at how their land and their neighbors’ land were developed, what impact their individual and collective activities could have on the quality of the water and begin to understand that everyone lives downstream. From: Project WET.
High-Low History
Connecticut has experienced floods, ice storms, nor’easters, and drought. In our changing climate, damaging floods are occurring more often, while we also face longer drier periods in between. Students examine real stream data, learn what the term “100-year flood” really means, and how to plan for extreme water-related events both at home and in our community. Adapted From: Project WET.
The Long Haul
Students experience what it is like to physically haul the amount of water an average American uses every day. Having to transport a portion of the water you use for everyday needs—drinking, cooking, cleaning, promotes an appreciation for water distribution systems and water consumption. From: Project WET.
Macroinvertebrate Mania
What can a small, spineless, water dwelling creature tell you about the health of a stream? LOTS! Participants are introduced to life in the stream, adaptations for life in fast moving water, and which creatures can only live in clean water.
Field Trip: River Check-Up
Students learn how to examine water chemistry, measure streamflow, and document the physical appearance of the in-stream and streamside habitat. Indoor sessions are offered to prepare your group for the trip or as a follow-up after the trip to discuss the data you collected.
EnVision® Groundwater Model
With this aquarium-sized model filled with layers of sand, gravel, clay, and rock, you will observe how water flows underground and how wells pump water out of the ground. You will see the critical interaction between groundwater and our rivers, streams and drinking water.
EnviroScape® Model
With a large model landscape, spray
bottles and “pollutants”, we observe where rain water flows and learn about a watershed. We look at ways people use the land and identify potential point source and non-point source pollution. Together, we come up with solutions to reduce or eliminate pollution in your own backyard.
Custom Programs
PRWC offers all kinds of educational programs to help you learn about your water. Programs are suitable for all ages and tailored to your audience. Looking for something different? Just ask. PRWC is continually developing new content to suit your needs.