Explore Colorado's watersheds through experiments in your classroom and/or take a field trip outside on our stream ecology field study. Choose 1 or both of the following options:
Nature's Water Filter (Indoor): How does nature provide ecosystem services and clean water? Discover how nature works as a water filter through indoor classroom experimentation and design!
Stream Ecology Field Study: Visit a local watershed and explore the health of a stream's ecosystem through macroinvertebrate surveys and water quality tests.
Register Now.
In our watersheds program, students will:
Nature's Water Filter (Indoor)
Stream Ecology Field Study
2nd Grade
Social Studies 2.1. Use geographic terms and tools to describe places and spaces.
Science 3.2. Wind and water can change the shape of the land; models can show the shape and these changes to the land.
3rd Grade
Social Studies 2.2. The concept of region is developed through an examination of similarities and differences in place and communities.
Science 2.5. Sometimes differences in characteristics between individuals of the same species provide advantages in survival and reproduction.
4th Grade
Social Studies 2.1 Use geographic tools to research and answer questions about Colorado geography
Science 3.3. Earth’s physical features occur in patterns.
5th Grade
Social Studies 2.2. Causes and consequences of movement.
Science 3.3. Earth’s major systems interact in multiple ways to affect Earth’s surface materials and processes.
Science 2.5. Organisms and populations of organisms are dependent on their environmental interactions both with other living things and with nonliving
Science 2.7. Ecosystems are dynamic in nature; their characteristics can vary over time. Disruptions to any physical or biological component of an ecosystem can lead to shifts in all its populations.
Science 3.6. Water cycles among land, ocean, and atmosphere, and is propelled by sunlight and gravity. Density variations of sea water drive interconnected ocean currents. Water movement causes weathering and erosion, changing landscape features.
Science 3.10. Human activities have altered the biosphere, sometimes damaging it, although changes to environments can have different impacts for different living things.
Science 2.6. A complex set of interactions determine how ecosystems respond to disturbances.
Science 2.13. Humans have complex interactions with ecosystems and have the ability to influence biodiversity on the planet.
Science 3.6. The planet’s dynamics are greatly influenced by water’s unique chemical and physical properties.
Upon registering for your program, you will receive a confirmation with your program contract, other essential info, and student liability waivers (field stream ecology only).
Upon registering for your program, you will receive a confirmation with your program contract and other essential info.
Stream Ecology Field Study: Please ensure students are prepared with sturdy closed-toed shoes, rainboots, or watershoes and a signed liability waiver – Your child will not be able to participate without this.
Suggested Grades: 3-12
Group Size: 10-25 students
Available: Fall & Spring
Length: 50 mins-2.5 hours
Location: American Mountaineering Center or local open space
Cost: Variable (please fill out registration form here, and we will get back to you with an estimate)
* scholarship application available at bottom of registration form
Suggested Pairings: