The Watershed Sleuth Challenge
Provided by: The National Environmental Education Foundation (NEEF)|Published on: May 20, 2021|Last updated: September 26, 2026
Grades: 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12
Type: Activity - Classroom
Subjects: Social Studies, Biology, Earth and Space Sciences
Authors: The National Environmental Education Foundation (NEEF)
This resource has been reviewed by SubjectToClimate's climate scientists and verified for scientific accuracy and up-to-date information. Learn about our review process →
This resource has been reviewed by SubjectToClimate's climate scientists and verified for scientific accuracy and up-to-date information. Learn about our review process →
Synopsis
- The Watershed Sleuth Challenge includes three self-guided lessons on watersheds.
- Students will complete lessons on the basics of watershed science, water quality threats, and protecting their local watershed. Students can earn badges as they complete the lessons and increase their knowledge of watershed health and protection.
Teaching Materials
Positives
- The lessons include activities that could be used for group projects.
- The lessons direct students to reputable sources to research their local watershed.
Prerequisites
- Students have to complete and submit each lesson before moving on to the next lesson.
- Students must enter an email address to receive their watershed badges.
- The last interactive question in Lesson 1 directs students to use the EPA's MyEnvirnoment website to locate data on local water quality reports, but the link does not provide the information needed to answer the question.
Differentiation & Implementation
- If students struggle to read text on a computer, the lessons could be printed to assist in adding reading scaffolds to increase student comprehension. Students could also read the texts in pairs or small groups.
- Lesson 3 instructs students to organize a community clean-up project to help the local watershed. The class could complete this activity as a group field trip. Students could document the project and make a short video or presentation showcasing the importance of keeping watersheds healthy.
- Other resources on this topic include this activity on investigating the water quality of a watershed, this PBS video on the effects of humans on the water cycle, and this information literacy activity on the effects of climate change on watersheds.
This is a challenge on Watershed conservation, threats to water quality and watershed management practice. Students would earn a badge when they pass the challenge. Although there is no clear citation on the data source, one of such is identified in the report, "The Mississippi River Watershed are responsible for moving 60% of all grain exported from the USA, providing habitat to 25% of fish species in North America". Educators should take note of this limitation. However, this resource is ideal for teaching.
Teaching Tips
Standards
Resource Type and Format
Scientist Reviewed
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