All of YMCA Camp Cherokee’s Environmental Education classes are adjustable to your students’ needs. We have hands on activities for students who are just beginning school to those entering high school. Read below to find out more!

Water Ecology

	Goal: Investigate and discover the importance of aquatic health through water testing and macro invertebrate identification.
	Objectives: Students will obtain and communicate information to classify macro-invertebrates based on their physical characteristics (2.L.5A.1). Students will analyze and interpret data from finding macro-invertebrates to describe how animals respond to changes in their environments(2.L.5B.3). Students will obtain and communicate information to explain how pollution in the Lake York habitat would be harmful to the organisms that live there (3.L.5B.1). Students will obtain and communicate information about the characteristics of macro-invertebrates (4.L.5A.1). Students will obtain and communicate information to describe and compare the macro-organisms they find in Lake York and interpret what they indicate (5.L.4A.2). Using a Dichotomous Key students will classify macro-invertebrates based on the current hierarchical taxonomic structure (6.L.4A.2). Students will analyze and interpret data gathered from the collection of Lake York macro-organisms to predict changes that might occur if the lake were polluted (7.EC.5A.3).
	Topics: Animal Identification Animal Classification Macro Invertebrates Bio-indicators Biotic/Abiotic pH Dissolved Oxygen Turbidity Conductivity
	Mastery: Students will define and find examples of biotic and abiotic Students will understand and be able to explain the importance of bio-indicators. Students will conduct water testing for pH, dissolved oxygen, turbidity, and conductivity, and explain the results. Students will have a new awareness for keeping our streams and lakes healthy
	Links for Teachers Teacher Planning Packet Registration Form EE Waiver

For more information, please contact Will Gilmore.