Natural Heritage of Indiana

Lesson Plans for Indiana's Life in the Water

Teach students about water systems across the state

My Water, Your Water, Our Water – In this unit, 3rd through 5th graders will discover individual and collective responsibility of maintaining the health of the Great Lakes Basin.  
Indiana State Standards covered »

Learning to give through Save the Earth Now

Rivers for the Common Good - For 3rd-5th grade, this cross-disciplinary unit will help learners discover how our waterways are polluted and how necessary it is to keep our waterways and rivers clean.  
Indiana State Standards covered »

Learning to Give through Save the Earth Now

The Secchi Disk (see also Indiana Expeditions) - In two 45-minute lessons, 3rd-7th graders will explore how a Secchi disk is used to evaluate the transparency of water. Using graduated cylinders filled with different concentrations of powdered milk solution, students will measure the depth at which a miniature Secchi disk is visible.  
Indiana State Standards covered »

Indiana Expeditions through W-FYI

How Much is Too Much? (see also Indiana Expeditions) - In this 45-minute activity for grades 3-7, students will decide how much risk they are willing to assume as it relates to drinking polluted water.
Indiana State Standards covered »

Indiana Expeditions through W-FYI

Water Resources and the Role of the Independent Sector - This unit for 6th-8th graders will direct students to study the issues of the amount of water per person, distribution of the water in relation to our ever increasing population and the quality of the water at our disposal and to understand the role government(s), business and industry, the independent and family sectors play in preserving our water resources.
Indiana State Standards covered »

Learning to Give through Save the Earth Now

Oil Changes Everything - This unit will allow the 6th-8th grade learners to share their knowledge of the ocean’s environment and protecting the animals that inhabit them. It includes lessons about the importance and careful management of these resources and the impact humans have on these environments around the world. Learners will develop ways to become advocates for the protection of the ocean’s environment.
Indiana State Standards covered »

Learning to Give through Save the Earth Now

Are You a River Keeper? - In this unit, 6th-8th grade learners will use fundamental scientific techniques to examine the health of a river by conducting scientific quantitative and qualitative analysis.
Indiana State Standards covered »

Learning to Give through Save the Earth Now

Water

Education Resources by the Indiana Department of Natural Resources Education Center (NREC) NREC

 

The Indiana Department of Natural Resources' Education Center provides professional training and support for educators and volunteers to promote responsible stewardship of our natural resources. Attend workshops, browse curriculum guides, borrow hands-on classroom material, and more! The NREC programs include:

* Hoosier Riverwatch (Volunteer Stream Monitoring)
* Project Learning Tree (Forestry Education)
* Project WET (Water Education for Teachers)
* Project Wild (Wildlife Education)

NREC programs offer:
* Statewide Workshops for Adults (6-8 hours in length)
* Certification Renewal Units & College Credit
* Loaner Items for NREC Program Participants
* Advanced Topic Workshops

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Schedule a Free Outdoor Education Program for your class! DSE
The Discovering the Science of the Environment program is an experiential, inquiry-based, outdoor laboratory focused science education program for 4th-9th grade classes in central Indiana. Based in water resource and ecological restoration research and education programs at CEES this program effectively bridges applied environmental research and technology to school education and outreach. Utilizing a mobile resource trailer equipped with interactive technology tools, web interface, and GIS mapping capabilities, the DSE program travels to your school to provide FREE educational programming at school ground natural areas. All programs are aligned to Indiana State Standards in science and mathematics and Excellence in Environmental Education - Guidelines for Learning (Pre K - 12) and resources, scientific equipment and measurement probes are provided by DSE. Fifteen comprehensive Outdoor Education classes are currently offered. Download an application»
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  Major funding for the project was provided by:
NHI Funders

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