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: 64

Theme

Level

Length

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Keywords

Field Studies > Habitats and Critters   > stream study  
1 - 25 of 64

Day Trips to Fairview

Programs focus on animal studies, astronomy, campfire, canoeing, challenge course, fishing, geology, hiking, orienteering, weather study, stream study and adventure activities.

Organization(s): Fairview Outdoor Education Center Facilities
Location: 12808 Draper Road Clear Spring, MD 21722 (Map It)
Theme(s): Habitats and Critters, Pollution and Pressures, Land Use and Agriculture
Level(s): Early Learning, High School
Program Length(s): Day Trips
Keywords: water cycle and movement, wetland, habitat and niche, orienteering, predator prey relationships, stream study, water testing, wildlife
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Chesapeake Connections

Chesapeake Connections is the Outdoor Education outreach program which connects classroom instruction with a series of relevant hands-on experiences that lead to environmental stewardship. Chesapeake Connections ultimate goal is to support opportunities for environmental stewardship which we define as "respecting and caring for the environment when no-one is watching."

Organization(s): Arlington Echo
Location: 975 Indian Landing Road Millersville, MD 21108 (Map It)
Theme(s): Habitats and Critters, Pollution and Pressures, Restoration, Land Use and Agriculture
Level(s): Early Learning, High School
Program Length(s): Day Trips Multi-Day Trips
Keywords: stream study, water testing
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Aquatic Ecology

Students are introduced to the aquatic habitats using dip nets and organism identification keys. Students explore, collect, observe, and identify from Apple Ridge's pond and woodland creeks.

Organization(s): Apple Ridge Farm
Location: 541 Luck Avenue Roanoke, VA 24016 (Map It)
Theme(s): Habitats and Critters, Pollution and Pressures
Level(s): Early Learning, High School
Program Length(s): Day Trips
Keywords: food web, adaptation, habitat and niche, stream study, water quality, water testing, wildlife, fish
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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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Hard Bargain Farm Overnight Field Study

The three major concepts that are taught during your trip to Hard Bargain Farm are watershed, biodiversity and adaptations, and cycles. Located on the Potomac River, students will see a watershed up close and personal, and learn how the land use decisions of our working farm influence the watershed. The core curriculum for field studies is comprised of the Habitat Hike and Farm Life Exploration programs. Throughout the hike and on the farm, students will make observations of biodiversity and how certain species of plants and animals have adapted to these ecosystems. Students will also study the energy cycle by identifying producers, consumers and decomposers in food chains and food webs.

Organization(s): Alice Ferguson Foundation
Location: 2001 Bryant Point Rd Accokeek, MD 20607 (Map It)
Theme(s): Habitats and Critters, Pollution and Pressures, Land Use and Agriculture
Level(s): Elementary School, Middle School
Program Length(s): Multi-Day Trips
Keywords: pollution, land use, agriculture, erosion, sediment, soil and rocks, stream study, water quality, water testing
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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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Discovering Habitats Program

Use senses to explore the forest, stream, and meadow in search of animals that live in these habitats. Discover the special adaptations, shelters, and foods these animals depend on. Get up close with live animals and taxidermy.

Organization(s): Abbott's Mill Nature Center
Location: 15411 Abbott's Pond Road Milford , DE 19963 (Map It)
Theme(s): Habitats and Critters
Level(s): Early Learning, Elementary School
Program Length(s): Day Trips
Keywords: food web, forest, habitat and niche, stream study, wildlife
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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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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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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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Cells and Microscopes Fifth Grade Program

During their visit students receive instruction on the use of a microscope. They explore the stream for macroscopic life, and collect and examine plankton samples. Activities reveal the important connections between these two worlds. Following a break for lunch, students hike to collect natural objects to view under field microscopes, and engage in activities designed to reinforce the parts of plant and animal cells.

Organization(s): Fair Hill Nature Center
Location: 630 Tawes Drive Elkton, MD 21921 (Map It)
Theme(s): Habitats and Critters
Level(s): Middle School
Program Length(s): Day Trips
Keywords: food web, habitat and niche, stream study, water quality, water testing, 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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Otter Point Creek Environmental Survey

In this real world scenario, students are asked to play the role of an environmental survey team hired to help Harford County Government's Planning and Zoning Department determine whether or not to give a permit to a private company for a marina expansion project on Otter Point Creek.

Organization(s): Anita C. Leight Estuary Center
Location: 700 Otter Point Road Abingdon, MD 21009 (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, land use, watershed, stream study, water quality, water testing
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River Eco Canoe Adventure

This seven-mile canoe trip near beautiful, and historic Harpers Ferry WV will study the health of the Shenandoah and Potomac rivers, major tributaries on the watershed system for the Chesapeake Bay. Experiments will include: Macro-invertebrate study - The collection of bugs, such as may, cadis, and stone flies, at the bottom of the river food chain. Water tests - for phosphate and nitrogen levels. Riverside search for frogs, salamanders, and other river reptilian dwellers.

Organization(s): River & Trail Outfitters
Location: 604 Valley Road Knoxville, MD 21758 (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, pollution, food web, watershed, ecosystem and biomes, experiments and investigations, habitat and niche, stream study, water quality, water testing, wildlife, student action
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Baltimore Harbor Program

The workboat Snowgoose provides a unique platform from which participants study the dynamic relationship between the Port of Baltimore and the Chesapeake Bay’s Patapsco River. Students investigate environmental issues and trends, often within the context of urban ecology. The Baltimore Harbor program is an excellent venue for students to learn about the fragility and the resiliency of ecosystems under the pressure of a modern working river.

Organization(s): Chesapeake Bay Foundation
Location: 501 E. Pratt St. Baltimore, MD 21202 (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
Keywords: pollution, point source, land use, watershed, habitat and niche, stream study, water quality, water testing
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Smith Island Study Center

Located within Tylerton MD, one of three watermen's communities on Smith Island, this center emphasizes the culture and ecology of a Chesapeake fishing village. Steeped in Chesapeake lore and heritage, Smith Island is the largest inhabited offshore island in the Bay. Participants gain insight into island culture to better understand how the community has interacted with the Bay for more than 300 years. Extensive wetlands, underwater grass beds, oyster reefs, and forests are easily explored on foot and by canoe and workboat.

Organization(s): Chesapeake Bay Foundation
Location: 20846 Caleb Jones Rd Ewell, MD 21824 (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): Multi-Day Trips
Keywords: boats, canoes and kayaks, pollution, wetland, watershed, oyster, blue crab, forest, habitat and niche, restoration, stream study, water quality, water testing, wildlife
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Fox Island Study Center Residential Program

Built in 1929 as a hunting and fishing lodge, the center is surrounded by the waters of Tangier and Pocomoke Sounds in Virginia. Fox Island's location, history, and simplicity make it truly magical. CBF field staff will work with you during the pre-trip call to tailor your experience so that it complements your classroom content. The following are examples of sample topics: History and folklore, salt marsh exploration, underwater grasses, crabbing, fishing, and oystering and Weather watch. The center has Clivus Multrum composting toilets that use no water or chemicals. Solar panels provide electricity for a handful of lights, a refrigerator, and the “gray water” system. Visitors should bring a flashlight. The lodge has a natural heating and cooling system. It uses a wood stove for warmth in common areas in the cooler months, and lots of windows for cool breezes in warmer weather. A 70-ft. well provides water for washing hands and dishes, but students will NOT be showering while at Fox.

Organization(s): Chesapeake Bay Foundation
Location: Fox Island Fox Island, VA 0 (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): Multi-Day Trips
Keywords: pollution, wetland, land use, weather, watershed, oyster, blue crab, green development, restoration, stream study, water quality, water testing
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Potomac River Program

This program is based in the heart of the nation's capital at the confluence of the Potomac and Anacostia rivers. While aboard the Susquehanna, CBF's 42 research workboat, participants test water quality, perform plankton studies, trawl for fish, and learn about the local features that impact the ecological integrity of the surrounding waterways. This is a unique opportunity to explore a hidden side of D.C., discover a diverse watershed of the Chesapeake, and investigate a habitat that few people are able to witness.

Organization(s): Chesapeake Bay Foundation
Location: Gang Plank Marina, 600 Water St. SW Washington, DC 20024 (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
Keywords: boats, canoes and kayaks, pollution, land use, watershed, stream study, water quality, water testing
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