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.

If you know of a great field study not included in the Bay Backpack let us know by suggesting a field study.

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: 129

Theme

Level

Length

Organization

Keywords

Field Studies > Pollution and Pressures  
1 - 25 of 129

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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Oystering Tour

In this hands-on program, students explore the history of the ‘greatest oyster factory on Earth’, the Chesapeake Bay, and how the oyster shaped the culture, industry, and environment of the Bay and its people. Students will get to learn about an historical Bay where oysters lay ‘thick as stones’ through maps, activities, and giant oyster shells, hear the tales of the Oyster Wars and an ‘oyster gold rush’ in the cabin of a skipjack, and investigate close-up an oyster nurseries’ crabs, fish, and baby mollusks.

Organization(s): Chesapeake Bay Maritime Museum
Location: 213 N. Talbot Street St. Michaels, MD 21663 (Map It)
Theme(s): Habitats and Critters, History and Culture, Pollution and Pressures, Restoration
Level(s): Elementary School, Middle School, High School
Program Length(s): Day Trips
Keywords: oyster, culture and watermen, restoration
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Ecology Cruise

In this ecology-based program, students learn about the diverse animals, plants, and environment of the Chesapeake through hands-on activities onboard the Mister Jim, our replica buy boat. Students explore the Bay watershed from large to small, starting with maps of the Chesapeake’s waterways and populations, moving to water quality testing, dredging for oysters, and finishing by examining the animals and organisms that call an oyster reef home.

Organization(s): Chesapeake Bay Maritime Museum
Location: 213 N. Talbot Street St. Michaels, MD 21663 (Map It)
Theme(s): Habitats and Critters, History and Culture, Pollution and Pressures
Level(s): Elementary School, Middle School, High School
Program Length(s): Day Trips
Keywords: oyster, blue crab, culture and watermen, habitat and niche, wildlife, fish
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Chesapeake Bay Bounty Tour

In this hands-on program discover what it means to follow the water to the many people who work the Bay year-round harvesting crabs, oysters, eels, and fish. At Waterman's Wharf, step inside a waterman's shanty and follow his seasonal rounds. Try hand-tonging for oysters, baiting eel pots, and setting a crab pot. Board an oyster dredgeboat and lend a hand raising sail.

Organization(s): Chesapeake Bay Maritime Museum
Location: 213 N. Talbot Street St. Michaels, MD 21663 (Map It)
Theme(s): Habitats and Critters, History and Culture, Pollution and Pressures
Level(s): Elementary School, Middle School, High School
Program Length(s): Day Trips
Keywords: boats, canoes and kayaks, oyster, blue crab
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Stanley Norman Skipjack Program in St. Michaels

The Stanley Norman, one of the last of the Chesapeake's famous fleet of skipjacks, provides an authentic setting to study the Bay's resources. Originally built in 1902, the Stanley Norman is an unforgettable venue for participants to dredge for oysters, test water quality, and imagine what it was like to work on a 65 wooden sailing vessel. CBF instructors utilize activities to deepen participants’ understanding of local ecosystems and give relevance and depth to the classroom curriculum. Our goal is to actively engage students and promote higher order thinking skills by learning through active experience.

Organization(s): Chesapeake Bay Foundation
Location: 213 North Talbot St. St. Michaels, MD 21663 (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: boats, canoes and kayaks, pollution, land use, oyster, blue crab, culture and watermen, habitat and niche, water quality, water testing
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Tree Inventory

Instructs teachers to plant trees with their students through training on software, tree inventories and planning.

Organization(s): Casey Trees
Location: 1123 11th Street Northwest Washington, DC 20001 (Map It)
Theme(s): Habitats and Critters, Pollution and Pressures, Restoration, Land Use and Agriculture
Level(s): High School
Program Length(s): Day Trips Multi-Day Trips
Keywords: forest, geocaching (GIS/GPS)
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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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Explore the Education Center

Blackbird State Forest is a free site for outdoor recreation - open all year long with trails. The Education Center, features interactive displays and outdoor trails on Delaware's forests.

Organization(s): Blackbird State Forest Education Center
Location: 502 Blackbird Forest Road Smyrna, DE 19977 (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: forest, habitat and niche, wildlife
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Survival Skills 101

Ever wondered how humans survived before the days of smartphones, microwaves, and television? Gain firsthand knowledge and experience in securing shelter, water, and food. Learn historic techniques for making containers, tools, and fire. An excellent tie-in to any geography or early civilization lesson block. Available in all seasons. Can be offered as a single lesson or as a series. We can also come to your school to do a pre-lesson to better prepare students for their field experience. Age range middle to high school. Curriculum support for: earth/space, environmental, social studies, skills and processes for geography.

Organization(s): Black Hill Nature Center
Location: 8787 Georgia Avenue Silver Spring, MD 20910 (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: habitat and niche, John Smith and colonial times, Native American
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Lake/ Stream Ecology:

Learn how water, living creatures, and natural processes are all connected. Explore lake or stream habitats to see what lives there and why. Collect and analyze data on water quality and living indicators such as macro-invertebrates. Available mid-April thru September. Available in the winter as a winter birding program that utilizes the Black Hill Visitor Center and lake shore viewing areas. Can be offered as a single lesson or as a series. We can also come to your school to do a pre-lesson to better prepare students for their field experience. Age range is 5th grade to high school. Location is flexible. Curriculum support for: skills and processes, earth/space, life, chemistry, and environmental.

Organization(s): Black Hill Nature Center
Location: 8787 Georgia Avenue Silver Spring, MD 20910 (Map It)
Theme(s): Habitats and Critters, Pollution and Pressures
Level(s): Elementary School, Middle School, High School
Program Length(s): Day Trips
Keywords: food web, habitat and niche, water quality, water testing, wildlife
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MD-DC-VA Audubon School Programs

At the Audubon Naturalist Society we offer a wide variety of educational programs that foster an appreciation, understanding and stewardship of the natural environment. Our programs are open to public schools, private schools, homeschool groups, and scouts in preschool through Grade 5. For programs with middle and high school students, please contact us to learn how we can tailor a program for your students. We can accommodate children with varied needs and are happy to work with teachers to meet their academic goals. We give teachers the convenient choice of taking a field trip to one of our beautiful nature sanctuaries in Chevy Chase, Maryland or Leesburg, Virginia OR having a naturalist come to your school with our Naturalist in Your Classroom program. We provide multilevel programs that meet state standards as well as developmental milestones in Maryland, Virginia, and the District of Columbia.

Organization(s): Audubon Naturalist Society
Location: 802 Children's Center Road Leesburg, VA 20175 (Map It)
Theme(s): Habitats and Critters, Pollution and Pressures, Restoration, Land Use and Agriculture
Level(s): Early Learning, Elementary School, Middle School, High School
Program Length(s): Day Trips
Keywords: food web, forest, habitat and niche, schoolyard habitat, wildlife
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MD-DC-VA Audubon School Programs

At the Audubon Naturalist Society we offer a wide variety of educational programs that foster an appreciation, understanding and stewardship of the natural environment. Our programs are open to public schools, private schools, homeschool groups, and scouts in preschool through Grade 5. For programs with middle and high school students, please contact us to learn how we can tailor a program for your students. We can accommodate children with varied needs and are happy to work with teachers to meet their academic goals. We give teachers the convenient choice of taking a field trip to one of our beautiful nature sanctuaries in Chevy Chase, Maryland or Leesburg, Virginia OR having a naturalist come to your school with our Naturalist in Your Classroom program. We provide multilevel programs that meet state standards as well as developmental milestones in Maryland, Virginia, and the District of Columbia.

Organization(s): Audubon Naturalist Society
Location: 8940 Jones Mill Road Chevy Chase, MD 20815 (Map It)
Theme(s): Habitats and Critters, Pollution and Pressures, Land Use and Agriculture
Level(s): Early Learning, Elementary School, Middle School, High School
Program Length(s): Day Trips
Keywords: food web, forest, habitat and niche, schoolyard habitat, 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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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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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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Conservation of Natural Resources Program

Explore the influence of human activity on ecosystems, learn the differences in renewable and nonrenewable resources and about the management of these resources. Then learn how to conserve water and energy and reduce waste.

Organization(s): Apple Ridge Farm
Location: 541 Luck Avenue Roanoke, VA 24016 (Map It)
Theme(s): Pollution and Pressures, Restoration, Land Use and Agriculture
Level(s): Elementary School, Middle School, High School
Program Length(s): Day Trips
Keywords: land use, development, water and energy conservation, ecosystem and biomes, forest, habitat and niche, renewable resource
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Rice Rangers

The Rice Rangers program equips teachers with training, lessons, and materials necessary to empower students to grow native wetland plants from seed in the classroom and transplant into tidal marshes. It also provides students with a service learning opportunity to increase filtering capacity and habitat in the rivers that flow into the Anacostia River and Chesapeake Bay. During the course of the project, students will investigate the Anacostia Watershed’s built and natural environments, and analyze the effects of human activities that alter the equilibrium of natural processes. Specifically, participants will learn that stormwater runoff from the built environment contributes to a variety of pollution issues, which pose serious challenges to a watershed system. The students actively learn to restore equilibrium of natural processes through wetland restoration.

Organization(s): Anacostia Watershed Society
Location: 2000 Half Street, SW Washington, DC 21046 (Map It)
Theme(s): Pollution and Pressures, Restoration
Level(s): Elementary School, Middle School, High School
Program Length(s): Day Trips
Keywords: pollution, stormwater, water quality
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Stormwater Education

Stormwater pollution is one of the leading non-point source pollution causes of stream health degradation in Pennsylvania and in the nation. Our local stream that runs through Carlisle, the LeTort Spring Run, is no exception. In 2007, ALLARM commenced a partnership with the Borough of Carlisle to collaboratively achieve the public education and public participation requirements of the Borough’s MS4 (Municipal Separate Storm Sewer System) permit. This partnership has resulted in a dynamic campaign that has grown to include Cumberland Valley Trout Unlimited and LeTort Regional Authority to carry out two goals: 1. Educate the Carlisle community about stormwater runoff and its effects on the Letort Spring Run; and 2. Promote stream-conscious behaviors or healthy stream habits. To achieve these goals ALLARM has designed and disseminated educational material including posters, fact sheets, and theater advertisements. ALLARM also engages in several community-based events that focus on direct stormwater education including an annual festival, stormdrain marking events, and rain barrel construction workshops.For details on stormwater, please see LeTort Connection. For other resources on stormwater, click Stormwater resources

Organization(s): Alliance for Aquatic Resource Monitoring
Location: Dickinson College - Environmental Studies Dept. College & Louther Streets Carlisle, PA 17013 (Map It)
Theme(s): Pollution and Pressures, Restoration
Level(s): Early Learning, Elementary School, Middle School, High School
Program Length(s): Day Trips
Keywords: watershed, stormwater, water quality
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K-12 Aquatic Resource Programs

ALLARM partners with greater Carlisle elementary, middle, and high schools as well as youth-based organizations to teach students about aquatic ecosystems and connect students to their local environment. Our programs are developed for different age groups and are tailored to meet the goals of partnering organizations. In our K-12 program ALLARM works together with teachers on an individual basis to design presentations to fit seamlessly within their lesson plans. ALLARM currently has longstanding partnerships with a dozen local teachers but will also respond to ad-hoc requests throughout the year.

Organization(s): Alliance for Aquatic Resource Monitoring
Location: Dickinson College - Environmental Studies Dept. College & Louther Streets Carlisle, PA 17013 (Map It)
Theme(s): Pollution and Pressures, Restoration
Level(s): Early Learning, Elementary School, Middle School, High School
Program Length(s): Multi-Day Trips
Keywords: pollution, water cycle and movement, watershed, stream study, water quality, water testing
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Up A Creek

Students will hike along Accokeek Creek to investigate physical characteristics and living organisms of this pristine stream. They will apply what they have learned about water cycles and watersheds as they observe how the creek forms cut banks and sandbars on its way to the Potomac River. Students will learn how to assess the health of a stream by observing the physical characteristics, conduct simple water chemistry tests, and sample macro invertebrate populations to analyze as bioindicators of a healthy ecosystem. Only offered in late spring through early fall. Water + air temp must be 120 degrees f

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
Program Length(s): Day Trips
Keywords: water cycle and movement, water quality, water testing, wildlife
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Rivers in Action

Students create watershed in miniature, using stream tables and diatomaceous earth. They create gorges, waterfalls, floodplains and deltas as they study how water shapes the landscape and affects human land use decisions.

Organization(s): Alice Ferguson Foundation
Location: 2001 Bryant Point Rd Accokeek, MD 20607 (Map It)
Theme(s): Pollution and Pressures
Level(s): Elementary School, Middle School
Program Length(s): Day Trips
Keywords: pollution, land use, watershed, water quality
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Exploration By Canoe

Students will experience the ecology of an aquatic environment from the viewpoint of the plants, fish, birds and mammals that live there. As they learn basic canoeing techniques they will explore the shorelines and marshes of historic Piscataway Creek. They will study plant and animal interactions in complex energy cycles, adaptations to aquatic habitats, and the impact of humans on the watershed. This class is paired with the Habitat Hike. Only offered in late spring through early fall. Water + air temp must be 120 degrees F.

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
Program Length(s): Day Trips
Keywords: pollution, adaptation, 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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