Empowering the next generation of watershed stewards.
Students of all ages and backgrounds deserve to have opportunities to meaningfully engage with their local watershed. By strengthening school-community partnerships, we seek to address systemic problems that inhibit students from connecting with their local community and natural environment.
The Watershed Project supports teachers and students in rebuilding these relationships through opportunities to learn outdoors in an experiential and academic program, aligned with Next Generation Science Standards and the Common Core State Standards. In all of our coursework, we incorporate best practices in environmental science education, equity and inclusion, and social-emotional learning, with the goal of developing more resilient individuals, communities, and watersheds.
Our community-based restoration sites provide the chance for students to roll up their sleeves and experience local watershed restoration firsthand. Through hands-on, place-based stewardship education both in the classroom and outdoors, students gain the knowledge, tools, and local connections they need to advocate for equitable access to the benefits of a healthy environment.
Program Flexibility
In the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic, teachers are asked to be even more creative and adaptable than usual, and we are ready to provide that same flexibility for our partner schools with programs that are entirely compatible with distance learning. We look forward to resuming classroom visits and field trips when safety allows, but in the meantime, we remain committed to providing students with opportunities to learn in nearby nature, whether in their backyards, neighborhoods, local parks, or schoolyards.
We offer both online (interactive exercises, videos, Google Classroom) and offline (design projects, labs, nature journals) activities to accommodate diverse age groups and learning styles. We provide all physical materials and equipment as our grant funding allows. In cases where we are unable to provide physical material kits, we are still happy to lead activities and share sources for purchasing materials.
The structure of our programs is designed to be customizable based on the amount of time available, the content that is most important to cover, and the teaching format of the class. Each program contains 4-8 lessons, which are approximately 60 (for elementary) to 90 (for middle/high school) minutes long. However, these lessons can be split into multiple smaller lessons, or expanded and combined into longer lessons. We’ll ask participating students to go outside to explore nearby nature multiple times during the program.
Whenever possible, our educators teach the program directly with students using live video lessons, Google Classroom or similar assignments, and/or written feedback on student work. We believe students benefit from hearing perspectives from different instructors, and we strive to build a relationship with them by interacting with each class several times over the course of the program. In the case that we receive more requests than our schedule and small staff can accommodate, or if the teacher prefers, we are happy to provide a curriculum for teachers to lead with their classes.
If you are homeschooling, you are welcome to use our curriculum! While it is not feasible for our staff to provide direct support for just one or a few students, we are happy to share our curriculum for you to use with your student(s). Please contact us using the information provided below.
Our Theory of Change
Grades K-2
In our The Water Around Us program, elementary students (grades K-2) will investigate the guiding question, “Why is water important for life on earth?” from a variety of perspectives. The core lessons in this program provide students the opportunity to explore the wonders of the watery world that surrounds them through stories, dance, building, bubbles, and more!
Grades 3-5
In our Me & My Watershed program, 3rd-5th grade students will investigate the guiding question, “How am I a part of my watershed?” The core lessons in this program will provide students with a foundational understanding of what a watershed is, and how they are connected to our local watershed. Through nature journaling students have the chance to explore, observe, and personally reflect on these connections.
In the Me & My Watershed: Creekside program, students investigate, monitor, and advocate for the health of local creek ecosystems within our watershed.
Through the Me & My Watershed: From Me to the Sea program students learn how trash travels through a watershed, examine the impact of trash in our watershed, and take action to personally and collectively address this issue.
“This is such a great program…[my students] have a much better understanding of [creek] ecosystems thanks to this program. The staff was prepared, informative, fun, and caring!” – 4th/5th grade teacher, Oakland
“Your students will become inspired to take care of their communities and to care for Mother Earth. The lessons learned from the [Me & My Watershed: From Me to the Sea] program will impact my students in their daily lives.” – 3rd grade teacher, San Pablo
Grades 6-8
In Our Ecosystem, Our Community, middle school students (grades 6-8) will investigate the guiding question, “How am I part of my local ecosystem?” The core lessons in this program will provide students with a foundational understanding of biodiversity and interdependence in ecosystems, and opportunities to explore their local ecosystem through nature journaling and community science data collection. At the conclusion of the program, students transform their knowledge into meaningful action to understand and protect their local ecosystem.
In Our Ecosystem, Our Community: From Me to the Sea, students will discover how their terrestrial ecosystem is connected to our bay and ocean ecosystems through marine debris data collection and analysis.
In Our Ecosystem, Our Community: Greening Urban Watersheds, students build and test models to learn how restoring urban ecosystems benefits communities and wildlife and manages stormwater.
“During the shelter in place all of us have been feeling the stress induced by the loss of our routine, the threat of COVID-19, and uncertainty about the future. Participating in [Our Ecosystem, Our Community] gave my students and I a chance to take a step back and connect with the natural world around us through the lessons, activities, and meetings we had. These moments have been full of peace and connection, and have been a positive force in our school experience and our lives during the pandemic.” – Middle school science teacher, San Mateo
“The educators made this a very strong program. They understood the need to balance the science with the students’ ages and ability to focus. I was very impressed by their ability to keep the kids focused and interested…[students were motivated] to explore the causes and consequences of human impact on our oceans and marine life.” – 6th grade teacher, Pinole
Grades 9-12
In Climate Change and Community Resilience, high school students (grades 9-12) will investigate the guiding question, “How can I help develop community resilience in the face of climate change?” The core lessons in this program will empower students to engage in conversations and activities about climate change, the local impacts of climate change, and how developing community resilience will help reduce these impacts through labs, case studies and reflective journaling. At the conclusion of the program, students transform their knowledge into meaningful action to help mitigate climate change impacts.
In Climate Change & Community Resilience: Green Urban Infrastructure Practicum, students will engage with green infrastructure professionals and visit restoration sites to learn about local green infrastructure impacts and urban ecosystem benefits. Students will gain practical tools for assessing personal and community needs through asset mapping and through discussions about green space and gentrification.
In Climate Change and Community Resilience: Plastic Planet, students will learn about the negative impacts of where plastics come from, how plastics are formed and how they impact our local ecosystems.
The Watershed Project is seeking teacher partners to pilot the teacher-led Ocean Acidification and Resilience curriculum with their students during the 2020-2021 school year. Participating teachers will receive lab supplies including digital scales and pH meters, oyster shells, underwater plants, CO2 indicators and more for all participating students, detailed lesson plans and student materials, two three-hour virtual training sessions with ongoing individual support, and a $750 stipend!
In Ocean Acidification and Resilience, students investigate the guiding question, “How can we improve the resilience of the San Francisco Bay in the face of climate change impacts?” Through hands-on labs and experiments, data interpretation and analysis, and reflective outdoor journaling, students will understand their connection to the Bay, learn about the local impacts of ocean and coastal acidification, and become part of the solution in addressing climate change impacts on ocean life and community in the Bay Area. At the conclusion of the program, students transform their knowledge into meaningful action to help mitigate climate change impacts.
“Climate Change and Community Resilience was a unique course that offered students a wide variety of activities requiring many different skills. The organization of the course is brilliant. After students connect with nature on a very personal level, they move on to understand the impacts of climate change on all living things on the planet, then explore what resilience looks like for themselves, the community and ecosystems, and finally they complete an action project reminding students to ‘Be the Change.’” – High school supervising teacher, Richmond
“I’d put in a good word for the way the activities are structured. I like that the students get to relate variables, see connections and patterns for the ecology and chemistry associated with climate change…As a veteran marine science teacher, I do not regret getting involved with the program and look forward to being part of it in the future. It’s really well organized and well worth any science teacher’s time.” – High school marine biology teacher, San Francisco
College and Beyond
We seek to encourage the next generation to discover their passion for environmental work.
Green Collar Corps is a job training program for youth from Contra Costa County. It focuses on leadership and job skills training, as well as specific instruction in conservation and restoration work.
Our interns contribute directly to meaningful and exciting projects, learn new skills, and gain valuable experience, all while working for vital environmental change.
Please visit our Green Careers page for more information about our current offerings.
Professional Learning
It is only with the help of teachers that we can aspire to developing environmental stewards. We partner with teachers to implement our programs and we offer professional learning opportunities on how to teach about watersheds and engage students in hands-on science. We have a long history of high quality curriculum offerings and continue to develop and revise curriculum on a variety of environmental topics.
The Watershed Project is seeking high school teacher partners to pilot the teacher-led Ocean Acidification and Resilience curriculum with their students during the 2020-2021 school year. Participating teachers will receive lab supplies including digital scales and pH meters, oyster shells, underwater plants, CO2 indicators and more for all participating students, detailed lesson plans and student materials, two three-hour virtual training sessions with ongoing individual support, and a $750 stipend!
In Ocean Acidification and Resilience, students investigate the guiding question, “How can we improve the resilience of the San Francisco Bay in the face of climate change impacts?” Through hands-on labs and experiments, data interpretation and analysis, and reflective outdoor journaling, students will understand their connection to the Bay, learn about the local impacts of ocean and coastal acidification, and become part of the solution in addressing climate change impacts on ocean life and community in the Bay Area. At the conclusion of the program, students transform their knowledge into meaningful action to help mitigate climate change impacts.
“The training was fun, collaborative and interesting.” – 6th grade science teacher, Oakland
“[The training] was very clear – the way everything was rolled out was really elegantly done.” – High school marine biology teacher, San Francisco
Resources for Educators
The following lessons provide opportunities for investigating and learning about local watersheds. Check back often as more activities will be added soon!
What is a watershed? – Diagram
Watershed in Your Hand – Classroom Activity
Mapping Your Watershed – Classroom Activity
Urban Creek Observations – Classroom and Creek Activity
We are excited to announce our participation in Green Schoolyards America’s 2018 Living Schoolyard Activity Guide. You can find our contribution, Observing a Creek, on page 161. It is for ages 8-18 and is designed as an easy creek observation activity for schools with creeks on or near their school campus.
Family Activities
Looking for a fun activity to do outside with your family? Explore the activities we’ve put together below!
Beach Counting Activity – Family Version
Creek Exploration – Family Version
Creek Boat Race – Family Version
Exploring Runoff – Family Version
Marsh in a Pan – Family Version
Riparian Bird Beaks – Family Version
Plant Scavenger Hunt – Family Version
Watershed in Your Hand – Family Version
If you’re interested in exploring your watershed or new parts of the Bay Area, check out some of the parks and locations we recommended through our Summer Photo Contest from August 2017!
Teachers and Schools
We invite San Francisco Bay Area schools, especially in West Contra Costa County, to apply for our watershed education programs. We offer in-person direct service programs in Alameda and Contra Costa counties, and online and teacher-led programs in all other counties. Title 1 schools, schools with 50% or more students eligible for free and reduced priced meals, and schools participating in select grant-funded programs are eligible for our programs at no cost. We offer sliding scale fee-for-service programs to other schools starting at $125.
Please fill out the interest form below to find out more, and allow for 1-2 weeks for a response from one of our Education Team staff. Please note that filling out this form does not guarantee you a program. Based on our availability and funding, we will let you know whether we are able to accommodate your request.
For all other education inquires, please contact: education@thewatershedproject.org
