Water Quality

The Water Quality unit is targeted for use in grades 6-8. Students discover the essential role of water in Michigan's economy and our lives, calculate direct and indirect water use, explore how Michigan watersheds are connected to the Great Lakes, identify characteristics of healthy streams, analyze Michigan stream data, and investigate challenges to the Great Lakes. Its goal is to assist teachers in better educating their students on water with lessons such as "How Do Land Uses Affect Water Quality?" and "Do You Know Your Watershed?" and "How Healthy Is This Stream?" Teachers will receive a notebook of 9 lessons (aligned to Michigan Science & Social Studies GLCEs) and a classroom kit containing video, globe, posters, and aerial photos.

• Alignment of Michigan Content Expectations 
• Water Quality Overview 
• Water Development Team 

 

Michigan Technological University has developed eighteen interactive web modules; There are six web modules for each unit which may be used to introduce, enhance, or reinforce concepts presented in the lessons. The modules are designed for upper elementary and middle school students, but have also been used for high school and even college-level courses.

Other Water Quality Resources: 

• DEQ Water -  Main site with more links on the DEQ's main page
• EPA Groundwater Site - health and safety information with other helpful links.
• Online Training in Watershed Management - offers a variety of self-paced training modules that represent a basic and broad introduction to the watershed management field.
• Project FLOW: Fisheries Learning On the Web is a collection of web-based lessons about Great Lakes aquatic science.
• USGS Water Sciences for Schools! - information on many aspects of water, along with pictures, data, maps, and an interactive center