Field Studies

Field studies coupled with classroom activities are an integral part of Meaningful Watershed Educational Experiences. Find a field study program that gets your students' feet wet and hands dirty.

Find a Program Near You

Begin by choosing the criteria for your search. Matching field study programs will be displayed as pin-points on the map below. Click on a pin-point for details about each program. Be sure to scroll through all your results using the "next" button at the bottom of the page.

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Create Your Own Field Study

Learn how to create your own field study at a local park or on your school grounds.

All Studies by Location
Records: 84

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Field Studies > Habitats and Critters   > watershed  
1 - 25 of 84

Hashawha Environmental Center Education Program

Carroll County Outdoor School provides sixth grade students with a unique opportunity for intensive study in a "living laboratory." Each sixth grader has the opportunity to attend a week-long residential environmental education program at the Hashawha Environmental Center. Instruction and supervision are provided by the Outdoor School team, high school student counselors, and visiting classroom teachers.

Organization(s): Carroll County Outdoor School
Location: 300 John Owings Road Westminster, MD 21158 (Map It)
Theme(s): Habitats and Critters, Pollution and Pressures, Land Use and Agriculture
Level(s): Middle School
Program Length(s): Day Trips Multi-Day Trips
Keywords: pollution, land use, watershed, habitat and niche, water quality, wildlife
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Distance Learning Programs

If you can't come to the museum, we can come to you through our Distance Learning Programs. We are very excited to offer these programs to people in our region, across the country and around the globe.

Organization(s): Calvert Marine Museum
Location: 14200 Solomons Island Rd Solomons, MD 20688 (Map It)
Theme(s): Habitats and Critters, History and Culture, Pollution and Pressures, Land Use and Agriculture
Level(s): Elementary School, Middle School, High School
Program Length(s): Day Trips
Keywords: pollution, wetland, land use, watershed, culture and watermen, ecosystem and biomes, erosion, forest, habitat and niche, John Smith and colonial times, Native American, sediment, soil and rocks, wildlife, fish, economics
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Project WET and Project Wild Aquatic

Teachers discover an educational methodology for water resources through hands-on, investigative and easy-to-use activities. A curriculum guide of water and aquatic resources activities that is correlated with national educational standards is provided to all teacher workshop participants. We adapt activities to include content relevant to local resources. Teachers can receive re-certification credits for completing a workshop. Students benefit because their teacher will have the skills to guide aquatic investigations and discoveries that will hopefully lead to environmentally responsible behaviors. Students learn how to think, not what to think.

Organization(s): Aquatic Resources Education Center
Location: Anacostia Park Washington, DC 20020 (Map It)
Theme(s): Habitats and Critters, Pollution and Pressures, Restoration
Level(s): Early Learning, Elementary School, Middle School, High School
Program Length(s): Day Trips Multi-Day Trips
Keywords: watershed, water quality, water testing
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Fish and Aquatic Resources Education Lessons

Students discover interesting facts about a variety of local fish and aquatic species and communities. The Aquatic Resources Education Center (AREC) houses a living collection of local fish species and other aquatic wildlife in 20-1,500 gallon display tanks. Scheduled programs include hands-on demonstrations and activities on the following topics: Fish Biology – learn basic fish anatomy and identification of local species Chesapeake Bay watershed – discover how individual actions impact our local habitats and wildlife Water as a Resource - investigate the importance of water for humans and animals Wetlands – explore local wetland habitats and how they function Teachers acquire additional activities to use with their students after a visit to the AREC. Teachers will be given support and assistance to answer any scientific questions relevant to our local urban fish and aquatic species.

Organization(s): Aquatic Resources Education Center
Location: Anacostia Park Washington, DC 20020 (Map It)
Theme(s): Habitats and Critters, Pollution and Pressures
Level(s): Early Learning, Elementary School, Middle School, High School
Program Length(s): Day Trips
Keywords: water cycle and movement, wetland, watershed, ecosystem and biomes, habitat and niche, wildlife, fish
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The Chesapeake Trades

Chesapeake Trades includes one day of pre-programming in the school where Museum staff lead the students through NOAA’s Chesapeake Bay Build A Buoy (BAB) Activity using the scientific method. Then the 8th graders spend a full day outside the school on a field trip during which they visit the Annapolis Maritime Museum to learn about Maryland’s oyster industry and business through hands-on activities at the McNasby Oyster Company, visit with a waterman and participate in an oyster dissection. The students also tour Port Annapolis Marina (a Green Business and Green Marina) to meet professionals whose careers are directly influenced by the Chesapeake Bay, take a one-hour boat ride and participate in a stormwater run-off model demonstration and an environmentally focused community service project at the Back Creek Nature Park. The 8th grade students are assessed on the level of their knowledge about maritime heritage and ecology of the Chesapeake Bay through pre- and post-tests. The 8th grade teachers are provided with curriculum to support pre- and post-teaching in the classrooms. The teachers and students receive evaluations to assess their experience with the program.

Organization(s): Annapolis Maritime Museum
Location: 723 2nd St Annapolis, MD 21403 (Map It)
Theme(s): Habitats and Critters, History and Culture
Level(s): Middle School
Program Length(s): Day Trips
Keywords: watershed, oyster, culture and watermen, ecosystem and biomes
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River Habitat Program

The River Habitat program teaches elementary school students about animal adaptation and habit requirements using the Anacostia River Watershed as a living instructional aide. The three-part service learning curriculum presents a course of classroom activities, field study, and community service that engages students in exploring links between school and community; as well as, some of the real-life applications of science.

Organization(s): Anacostia Watershed Society
Location: 4302 Baltimore Avenue Bladensburg, MD 20710 (Map It)
Theme(s): Habitats and Critters
Level(s): Elementary School
Program Length(s): Day Trips
Keywords: adaptation, watershed, habitat and niche, stream study, water quality, wildlife
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Bridging the Watershed Field Study

The Bridging the Watershed (BTW) program provides a wonderful opportunity to teach science in context and provide students with a meaningful watershed field experience. The key experience in the BTW program is students’ visiting national parks in their area and collecting authentic data on topics such as water quality, runoff and sediment in the water, alien invasive plant species, and trash in the environment.

Organization(s): Alice Ferguson Foundation
Location: 2001 Bryant Point Rd Accokeek, MD 20607 (Map It)
Theme(s): Habitats and Critters, Pollution and Pressures
Level(s): Elementary School, Middle School, High School
Program Length(s): Multi-Day Trips
Keywords: watershed, habitat and niche, water quality, water testing, wildlife
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Stream Ecology & Stream Watch

Learn about Delaware Stream Watch while studying the variables that indicate the health of a body of water. Collect macro-invertebrates and perform physical and chemical water quality testing, such as pH and dissolved oxygen. Examine water samples under a microscope, looking for the minute plants and animals that are the basis of the stream food chain. Emphasis is placed on the possible harmful effects of human activity in the watershed. This program qualifies your class to adopt a stream.

Organization(s): Abbott's Mill Nature Center
Location: 15411 Abbott's Pond Road Milford, DE 19963 (Map It)
Theme(s): Habitats and Critters, Pollution and Pressures, Land Use and Agriculture
Level(s): High School
Program Length(s): Day Trips
Keywords: pollution, water cycle and movement, land use, food web, watershed, development, stormwater, ecosystem and biomes, experiments and investigations, habitat and niche, stream study, water quality, water testing
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Exploring By Canoe Program

Learn basic paddling skills while exploring Abbott's Pond, home to beaver, turtles, waterfowl, and the occasional otter. Use seine nets and microscopes to collect and examine aquatic organisms. Learn how historic Abbott's Mill influenced the environment in the 1800's. Canoes, paddles and life preservers included in cost, no canoeing experience required.

Organization(s): Abbott's Mill Nature Center
Location: 15411 Abbott's Pond Road Milford, DE 19963 (Map It)
Theme(s): Habitats and Critters, Pollution and Pressures
Level(s): Middle School, High School
Program Length(s): Day Trips
Keywords: boats, canoes and kayaks, wetland, watershed, ecosystem and biomes, habitat and niche, stream study, water quality, water testing, wildlife, fish
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Stream Study

Conduct physical tests to determine the health of Johnson's Branch. Learn about different types of pollution and how they impact aquatic habitats. Become a raindrop and take an exciting journey downstream. Explore ways you can help to protect our aquatic habitats.

Organization(s): Abbott's Mill Nature Center
Location: 15411 Abbott's Pond Road Milford, DE 19963 (Map It)
Theme(s): Habitats and Critters, Pollution and Pressures, Land Use and Agriculture
Level(s): Early Learning, Elementary School
Program Length(s): Day Trips
Keywords: pollution, water cycle and movement, watershed, stream study, water quality, water testing, fish
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Overnight and Extended-Day Programs

Overnights and Extended Days are a special adventure for everyone! One to three day programs are developed collaboratively with school leaders, assuring that educational standards and objectives are integrated into program design. The nature preserve supports a variety of forested, field and wetland habitats along Johnson and Tantrough Branch. Hiking trails, boardwalks and teaching stations provide unique education opportunities discovering the natural wonders of Southern Delaware.

Organization(s): Abbott's Mill Nature Center
Location: 15411 Abbott's Pond Road Milford, DE 19963 (Map It)
Theme(s): Habitats and Critters, History and Culture, Pollution and Pressures, Land Use and Agriculture
Level(s): Elementary School, Middle School, High School
Program Length(s): Day Trips Multi-Day Trips
Keywords: pollution, wetland, land use, food web, adaptation, watershed, biodiversity, ecosystem and biomes, forest, habitat and niche, predator prey relationships, water quality, wildlife
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VIMS Discovery Labs

The monthly Discovery Lab series provides fun, family-friendly experiences and lifelong learning. Each lab focuses on a specific topic through a series of stations that provide hands-on activities for kids and adults. Participants look through microscopes, observe live animals, partake in crafts and games, and view research posters.

Organization(s): Virginia National Estuarine Research Reserve at VIMS
Location: Gloucester Rd Gloucester Point, VA 23062 (Map It)
Theme(s): Habitats and Critters, Pollution and Pressures, Restoration, Land Use and Agriculture
Level(s): Elementary School, Middle School, High School
Program Length(s): Day Trips
Keywords: pollution, land use, watershed, blue crab, experiments and investigations, habitat and niche, restoration, water quality, wildlife, fish
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Life in the Chesapeake Bay - A "Meaningful Watershed Experience" Program

Compare marine vertebrate and invertebrate phyla to discover the amazing diversity of life in the Bay. Identify and classify live and preserved specimens such as sea stars, anemones, whelks and crabs, as well as bony and cartilaginous fish. Animal adaptations and survival strategies are emphasized.

Organization(s): Virginia Living Museum
Location: 524 J Clyde Morris Boulevard Newport News, VA 23601 (Map It)
Theme(s): Habitats and Critters, History and Culture, Pollution and Pressures, Land Use and Agriculture
Level(s): Middle School, High School
Program Length(s): Day Trips
Keywords: adaptation, watershed, blue crab, ecosystem and biomes, habitat and niche, predator prey relationships, stream study, water quality, water testing, wildlife, fish
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Chesapeake Bay Ecology Program

This hands-on, 90-minute program allows students to explore the Chesapeake Bay estuary through its history, bounty, and ecology. Beach seining, aquaculture, and seagrass restoration activities help students to understand the complex nature of estuarine systems and our coastal environments.

Organization(s): The Watermen's Museum
Location: 309 Water Street Yorktown, VA 23690 (Map It)
Theme(s): Habitats and Critters, Pollution and Pressures, Land Use and Agriculture
Level(s): Middle School, High School
Program Length(s): Day Trips
Keywords: pollution, wetland, watershed, oyster, blue crab, aquatic grass SAV, ecosystem and biomes, habitat and niche, restoration, water quality, wildlife, fish
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Catch of the Day Program

designed to address Virginia's Standards of Learning for Kindergarten through third graders. Every year, over 1,500 students from our region participate. Each classroom involved receives a pre/post visit activity book to help teachers prepare and reinforce the lessons learned in the program. Once they arrive for their Museum visit, students see and touch live oysters, clams and crabs; learn to identify and sort shellfish by type; tong for oysters; and hear about the methods used locally to gather seafood, from those used by the region's Native Americans to the ones used today. Each student participating receives a take-home activity bag and coupons to return free with family members.

Organization(s): The Watermen's Museum
Location: 309 Water Street Yorktown, VA 23690 (Map It)
Theme(s): Habitats and Critters, History and Culture, Pollution and Pressures
Level(s): Early Learning, Elementary School
Program Length(s): Day Trips
Keywords: watershed, oyster, blue crab, culture and watermen, habitat and niche, John Smith and colonial times, Native American, restoration, water quality, water testing
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Strawberry Hill Educational Programs

Strawberry Hill programs are fun as well as educational, featuring hands-on activities that involve all the students. Programs can range from 90 to 240 minutes in length. Programs are offered both at Strawberry Hill and at your site. Programs cover a diversity range of topics such as watersheds, wetlands, ecology, adaptation, energy.

Organization(s): Strawberry Hill Nature Center
Location: 1537 Mount Hope Road Fairfield, PA 17320 (Map It)
Theme(s): Habitats and Critters, Land Use and Agriculture
Level(s): Early Learning, Elementary School, Middle School, High School
Program Length(s): Day Trips
Keywords: pollution, water cycle and movement, wetland, land use, adaptation, watershed, water and energy conservation, ecosystem and biomes, forest, predator prey relationships, stream study, water quality, water testing, wildlife
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Discovering Wetlands

Upper elementary students define and explore the wetland communities of Renfrew Park. They learn the three major types of wetlands and examine the plants, animals, soils, energy flow and water chemistry of these special ecosystems. Hands-on activities involve soil sampling, water testing for pH, plant study, and macroinvertebrate investigation. Students use watershed models to see how wetlands act as sponges and filters.

Organization(s): Renfrew Institute for Cultural and Environmental Science
Location: 1010 East Main Street Waynesboro, PA 17268 (Map It)
Theme(s): Habitats and Critters, Pollution and Pressures, Land Use and Agriculture
Level(s): Middle School
Program Length(s): Day Trips
Keywords: water cycle and movement, wetland, watershed, habitat and niche, stream study, water quality, water testing, wildlife, fish
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Lifesavers of the Chesapeake Bay

Students launch on a journey to four high-activity learning stations. Earning a large wooden lifesaver at each station, students gain important information about the geography, biology, and ecology of the Chesapeake Bay. They discover its relationship to themselves as watershed residents and ways they can help to preserve and protect the estuary and our local waterways. In the process, students see that the water quality in our local stream, the Antietam Creek, is directly related to the health of all water bodies downstream, including the Bay. Point and non-point sources of pollution are discussed.

Organization(s): Renfrew Institute for Cultural and Environmental Science
Location: 1010 East Main Street Waynesboro, PA 17268 (Map It)
Theme(s): Habitats and Critters, Pollution and Pressures, Land Use and Agriculture
Level(s): Elementary School, Middle School
Program Length(s): Day Trips
Keywords: pollution, point source, water cycle and movement, watershed, water and energy conservation, ecosystem and biomes, forest, habitat and niche, stream study, water quality, water testing, wildlife
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Audubon Watershed Experience (Signature Program)

Audubon Watershed Experience is designed to connect students in a tangible way to their place in the Chesapeake Bay Watershed through meaningful experiences reinforced by comprehensive in-class activities. Through fishing, seining and bird watching, students will learn about the environment, conservation, and their own relationship to the Chesapeake Bay watershed.

Organization(s): Pickering Creek Audubon Center
Location: 11450 Audubon Lane Easton, MD 21601 (Map It)
Theme(s): Habitats and Critters, Pollution and Pressures, Land Use and Agriculture
Level(s): Elementary School, Middle School, High School
Program Length(s): Day Trips Multi-Day Trips
Keywords: pollution, water cycle and movement, wetland, watershed, ecosystem and biomes, habitat and niche, stream study, water quality, water testing, wildlife, fish
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Emerging Scientist Project

The Emerging Scientist Project (ESP) connects high school classrooms with local NOAA resources to expose students to oceanic and atmospheric research in the Chesapeake Bay watershed. The program encourages students to pursue scientific careers and challenges them to seek local solutions to problems facing the Bay. ESP has been used by biology, environmental science, and other science teachers to assist in teaching standards and concepts while actively engaging their students in local environmental issues.This flexible program is designed to be carried out over the course of one semester during normally scheduled classes.

Organization(s): National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA)
Location: 410 Severn Ave Annapolis, MD 21403 (Map It)
Theme(s): Habitats and Critters, Pollution and Pressures, Land Use and Agriculture
Level(s): High School
Program Length(s): Multi-Day Trips
Keywords: nitrogen and carbon cycle, pollution, point source, non-point source, wetland, land use, watershed, agriculture, blue crab, development, aquatic grass SAV, ecosystem and biomes, experiments and investigations, forest, habitat and niche, stream study, water quality, water testing, wildlife, salinity, fish, dissolved oxygen, student action
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Field Trips to the Baltimore Aquarium

Take a self-guided through the exhibits or schedule a tour with aquarium staff. Explore the wonders of the underwater world and fish from all over the globe.

Organization(s): National Aquarium in Baltimore
Location: 501 E. Pratt Street Baltimore, MD 21202 (Map It)
Theme(s): Habitats and Critters, Pollution and Pressures
Level(s): Early Learning, Elementary School, Middle School, High School
Program Length(s): Day Trips
Keywords: pollution, wetland, food web, adaptation, watershed, oyster, biodiversity, ecosystem and biomes, habitat and niche, predator prey relationships, restoration, water quality, wildlife, fish
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Watersheds and You

Explore wetlands and look for biodiversity and interdependence of plants and animals in that particular habitat.

Organization(s): Irvine Nature Center
Location: 11201 Garrison Forest Road Owings Mills , MD 21117 (Map It)
Theme(s): Habitats and Critters, Pollution and Pressures, Land Use and Agriculture
Level(s): Middle School
Program Length(s): Day Trips
Keywords: wetland, watershed, habitat and niche, wildlife
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Kids’ Bay Adventures Program

This program consists of several week-long educational sessions focused on different environmental topics. Children are given the opportunity to have fun in the outdoors, while learning about science and nature in their “own backyard.” Craft projects, games, and other activities are included as part of the educational experience. This program is offered for children entering pre-K – 8th grades in the upcoming school year.

Organization(s): Horn Point Laboratory
Location: 2020 Horn Point Road Cambridge, MD 21613 (Map It)
Theme(s): Habitats and Critters, Pollution and Pressures, Land Use and Agriculture
Level(s): Early Learning, Elementary School, Middle School
Program Length(s): Multi-Day Trips
Keywords: boats, canoes and kayaks, pollution, water cycle and movement, wetland, land use, watershed, ecosystem and biomes, forest, habitat and niche, stream study, water quality, water testing, wildlife
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Horn Point Environmental Education Program

The Horn Point Environmental Education (EE) Program provides hands-on age appropriate educational activities that focus on science and the ecology of the local environment. Primarily targeting pre-K – 5th grade student

Organization(s): Horn Point Laboratory
Location: 2020 Horn Point Road Cambridge, MD 21613 (Map It)
Theme(s): Habitats and Critters, Pollution and Pressures, Land Use and Agriculture
Level(s): Early Learning, Elementary School, Middle School
Program Length(s): Multi-Day Trips
Keywords: pollution, water cycle and movement, photosynthesis, wetland, food web, adaptation, weather, watershed, ecosystem and biomes, forest, habitat and niche, predator prey relationships, stream study, water quality, water testing, wildlife, fish
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BVW School Programs

Geared to address specific environmental concepts in outdoor classrooms through hands-on experiential learning and are focused around the farm, forest, field, pond and stream habitats located nearby.

Organization(s): Brandywine Valley Association
Location: 1760 Unionville-Wawaset Road West Chester, PA 19382 (Map It)
Theme(s): Habitats and Critters, History and Culture, Pollution and Pressures, Land Use and Agriculture
Level(s): Elementary School, Middle School, High School
Program Length(s): Day Trips
Keywords: pollution, water cycle and movement, wetland, land use, watershed, agriculture, ecosystem and biomes, experiments and investigations, forest, habitat and niche, identification, predator prey relationships, sediment, soil and rocks, stream study, water quality, water testing, wildlife
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