2025 Arkansas Environmental & Outdoor Education Conference

Water is a fundamental element for life, and land use practices can significantly influence both human health and the quality of freshwater sources. Exploring these complex issues with students becomes both engaging and relevant when incorporating real-world examples, especially local water quality data. Involving students in data collection offers an impactful learning experience and strengthens their understanding of a land ethic. This presentation will spotlight three organizations that are actively gathering water quality data and implementing best management practices to safeguard watershed health and potable water supplies. We will examine both digital and physical resources available to educators, enabling them to integrate these data and concepts into their curriculum. The resources introduced will bridge core disciplinary concepts with NGSS science and engineering practices, leveraging real-world data to enhance students' learning experiences.
Taget audience: Classroom teachers, 6 grade - higher education, Non-formal educators