The Enviroscape

The “Enviroscape” is a beautifully detailed model of a lake watershed. This model is an excellent tool for demonstrating how human activity within a watershed can affect the water quality of streams and lakes. Students of all ages enjoy “polluting” the model with Kool-Aid, cocoa powder, and other food products to stimulate certain types of non-point source pollution. Then the students rain on the model with a spray bottle, and the pollutants find their way to the stream channels, and eventually to the lake. This model is perfect for discussing how appropriate conservation practices can benefit the inhabitants as well as the environment in a community. The Enviroscape is available for loan to schoolteachers, youth group leaders, and other educators.  Please call the office at (330) 929-2871 X16 to reserve the Enviroscape.

The Stream Monitoring Activity

When the students can't go to the stream, take the "stream" to the students! There are occasions when students cannot be taken on-site to a stream, or when there is a desire to train them before a site visit. The SWCD staff collaborated with other District offices to produce a kit to teach biological stream-monitoring techniques in the classroom. The kit contains individual pictures and short descriptions (for clues) of aquatic macroinvertebrates encased in Plexiglas, invertebrate identification keys, data sheets, and two plastic tablecloths which simulate streams. Using this kit, we have taught students as young as ten years old in as little as twenty minutes how to make a biological assessment of a stream. It can be a challenge to teach biological assessment to schoolchildren "in the field" simply because of the excitement of being outdoors. Therefore, this has proven to be a great tool to teach the method to students before they visit a real stream. This stream monitoring activity is available for loan to schoolteachers, youth group leaders, and other educators. Please call the office at at (330) 929-2871 X16 to reserve this activity.

The Groundwater Model

The Groundwater Model gives students a peak at what lies beneath their feet! This model demonstrates the mechanics of groundwater movement in a way that makes difficult concepts clear to even the youngest student. There are plenty of opportunities for student interaction, and a binder full of ideas on how to demonstrate groundwater concepts clearly and concisely. If used with the optional above ground attachment, the entire water cycle can be demonstrated. This model is a perfect accompaniment to the groundwater contamination curriculum kit. Both the model and the kit are available for loan through the district. Please call (330) 929-2871 X16 to reserve either of these valuable resources.

Groundwater Contamination Curriculum Kit

This kit is a fully contained, three-week Earth Science curriculum with enough materials for up to thirty students at a time. It is a groundwater contamination simulation set in the fictional town of Fruitvale. Students solve the mystery of where the contamination came from through a series of experiments, reading assignments, and hands-on exploration. This kit is mainly geared toward students at the middle school level, but it can easily be adjusted for high school, or even elementary school. In order to use this kit, you will need to attend one of the periodic after school mini-workshops held at the district office. This is a one-time requirement, and takes approximately one and a half hours. All of the models in the office will be demonstrated, along with this curriculum kit. If you are interested in attending an after school workshop, please call (330) 929-2871 X16 for the available dates. You can find out more about the kit by visiting www.SEPUP.com. The official title of this kit is Groundwater Contamination: Trouble in Fruitvale.

The Stream Table

Our large, portable Stream Table (also known as the Streamulator) is a wonderful, hands-on model that kids love to get their hands into! A circulating pump provides water for the table, and the resulting streambed created by the sand and water is surprisingly detailed. Elementary students will enjoy finding stream features, and building a community along the stream bank complete with buildings, bridges, and trees. Plan out your community carefully! If you turn up the water to simulate a heavy rain, some of the buildings may fall into the river! Secondary students will enjoy changing the rate of water flow and the slope of the table to see how the streambed is affected. A binder full of activities will help you to plan out your class time with the Stream Table. The Stream Table is available for loan to schoolteachers, youth group leaders, and other educators. Please call the office at (330) 929-2871 X 16 to reserve the Stream Table.