Clean Creeks in the Classroom
Chico students are stewards of their watershed, so it is important for them to have an understanding of what the Big Chico Creek watershed is all about. What animals live here? Where does the water come from, and where does it go? What is our role in this ecosystem? Covering both 5th grade science standards as well as watershed and stormwater education concepts, 5th Grade Students participate in a field trip program at Verbena Fields along Lindo Channel (fall) and 5-Mile Recreation Area in Bidwell Park (spring). Following two 50-minute class visits, students participate in four 40-minute stations: Macroinvertebrate collection and identification, Riparian Hike, and Pebble Count, and Haiku.
Partners: City of Chico
Funders: City of Chico Stormwater Education Program
Location: Verbena Fields along Lindo Channel (fall) and 5-Mile Recreation Area in Bidwell Park (spring)
Focus Concepts: Watershed, Riparian Habitat, Scientific Investigation
Field Trip Activities:
Station 1: Haiku at picnic benches.
Station 2 : Macroinvertebrate collection and identification by creek. Safety, respect for living creatures. Students use small nets, yogurt containers to collect organisms, use laminated dichotomous key for identification. Conclusion--Is this a healthy creek?
Station 3: Riparian Hike, with binoculars. Students are introduced to the flora and fauna of the riparian zone. Interactive activities at discretion of naturalist.
Station 4: Pebble Count. Students are introduced to salmon spawning habitat, and relation of salmon redd’s to pebble size (salmon dig a shallow hole in the creek bottom with their tails). In pairs, students measure and record the size of pebbles following a transect. Data from all students is consolidated, and students compare data to ideal salmon spawning conditions.
Fall 2011 pics
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