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How Healthy Is This Creek?

Students conduct water quality tests and record observations in their field journals. The Park Ranger leading this visit will also discuss implications between water quality and healthy coho salmon and steelhead trout populations.

Time required: 2 - hours Location: Point Reyes National Seashore Suggested group size: limit of 32, discuss with Education Coordinator when making reservations Subject(s): aquatic, ecology, chemistry, biology Concept(s) covered: riparian zone, ecology, water quality Written by: Christie Denzel Anastasia, Lynne Dominy, and Melinda Repko, National Park Service Last updated: 07/02/00

Student Outcomes
At the end of this activity, the students will be able to:

• Investigate a riparian zone and record results of experiments and observations in their field journals.



• Understand the significance of habitat monitoring through discussion.



• Promote behaviors conducive toward healthy creek habitats in and outside of Point Reyes National Seashore.

California Science Standard Links (grades 6 – 8)
This activity is linked to the California Science Standards in the following areas:

6th grade:

5e - resources available and abiotic factors;
7b - appropriate tools and technology to perform tests, collect data, and display data;
7d - communicate steps and results from an investigation;
7e - evidence is consistent with a proposed explanation;
7h - identify changes in natural phenomena over time.

7th grade:

7a - appropriate tools and technology to perform tests, collect data, and display data;
7c - communicate logical connections;
7e - communicate steps and results from an investigation.

8th grade:

1b - average speed is the total distance traveled divided by the total time elapsed.

National Science Standard Links (grades 5 – 8)
This activity is linked to the National Science Standards in the following areas:

• Content Standard A - Abilities necessary to do scientific inquiry, design and conduct a scientific investigation; use appropriate tools and techniques to gather, analyze, and interpret data; think critically and logically to make the relationships between evidence and explanations.



• Content Standard C - Diversity and adaptation of organisms.



• Content Standard F - Populations, resources, and environments.

Materials
To be provided by the teacher:

• Constructed field journals, one for each student and chaperone. (72K PDF document)

Vocabulary
none

Procedures

1. Reservations
   You must make reservations for this Ranger-led field visit. Locate the reservation form in the "Teachers Preparation" section of Monitoring Creek Health.



2. Expectations
   Teacher
   • Make reservations and receive confirmation form.
   • Enlist chaperones for a 1:5 adult/student ratio.
   • Insure that each chaperone and students have their own field journal for the day of the visit.
   • Assume responsibility for discipline issues which may arise and detract from group's experience.
   Chaperones
   • Each chaperone will be responsible for a team of students and for a Creek Monitoring Kit to assist students collecting data.
   Ranger
• Facilitate each chaperone-led student group with creek monitoring activities.
• Reserve Creek Monitoring Kits.

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