Lesson Plan

What's in the Water?

A man in beige waders and a life vest stands at the bow of a metal boat holding a long net with both hands.

Grade Level:: High School: Ninth Grade through Twelfth Grade
Subject:: Science
Lesson Duration:: 30 Minutes
Common Core Standards:: 6-8.RST.2, 6-8.RST.4, 6-8.RST.5, 6-8.RST.6, 6-8.RST.7, 9-10.RST.2, 9-10.RST.4, 9-10.RST.5, 9-10.RST.6, 9-10.RST.7, 11-12.RST.2, 11-12.RST.4, 11-12.RST.5, 11-12.RST.6, 11-12.RST.7
State Standards:: Ohio Learning Standards (middle and high school): 7.LS.2, PS.M.3, B.DI.2, B.DI.3, C.PM.2, ENV.ES.1, ENV.ES.3, ENV.GP.2, ENV.GP.9, PG.ER.3
Additional Standards:: Next Generation Science Standards: MS-LS1-5, MS-LS2-1, MS-LS2-4, MS-LS2-5, MS-ESS3-3, HS-LS2-6, HS-LS2-7, HS-LS4-5

Essential Question

How can we determine if water is safe for human consumption or recreation?
How is the biological community affected by pH, nitrogen and phosphorus influxes, dissolved oxygen levels, and turbidity?

Objective

Students will:
- Understand how water chemistry data can help quantify the health of a stream.
- Make predictions about the cause and effect of certain water chemistry conditions.