Environmental Outreach Programs

Water Cycle Reenactment - Grades 2-4

In this whole body activity, students pretend to be “raindrops” and travel through the water cycle, visiting plants, animals, rivers, ground water, and oceans. Students move through the processes of evaporation, condensation, and precipitation along their journey and discuss the fact that water can be three different physical states of matter. At the conclusion of their journey, participants draw a picture or write a story about their travels through the water cycle. Students also learn how citizens can help reduce water pollution.

Missouri Learning Standards addressed:

• ESS2.C.1 Earth's Systems - Grade 2
• PS1.A.1 Matter and Its Interactions, Structure and Properties of Matter - Grade 3

Macro-invertebrate Identification Grades 5-6

Students will identify preserved specimens of macro-invertebrates found in a Missouri stream such as Mayfly larva, Dragonfly larva, Scuds, Leeches, etc. Students use a dichotomous key to classify macro invertebrates to the phylogenic level of order. Interactions among organisms and their environment are explored. Students also learn what citizens can do to reduce water pollution to keep our ecosystems healthy.

Missouri Learning Standards addressed:

• ESS3.C.1 - Earth and Human Activity - Grade 5

Drinking Water Filtration - Grades 4-8

Students learn about where their drinking water comes from and the difference between surface water and ground water. Students participate in an activity where they filter out the pollutants from a sample of water and record their observations. The terms aeration, coagulation, sedimentation, and filtration are demonstrated. The presentation includes information about common water pollutants and why water must be treated. Classroom discussion includes conservation of water resources, and easy things we can all do to reduce water pollution. If done for multiple classes, this presentation takes at least 50 minutes to an hour.

Missouri Learning Standards addressed:

• ESS2.C.1 – Earth and Human Activity - Grade 5
• PS1.B.1 – Matter and It’s Interactions - Grade 5
• ESS3.C.1 – Earth and Human Activity - Grade 6 - 8

Air Pollution at School - Grades 6-8

Buses that leave the engine running and parents that let cars idle at school create a lot of air pollution right where children are breathing. This presentation includes basic information about air pollution and ozone air pollution in the St. Louis area. Students will apply scientific principles to design a method for monitoring and minimizing air pollution at their schools. Students will also divide into groups to create posters, a letter to bus drivers and other parts of an idling reduction campaign.

Missouri Learning Standards addressed:

• ESS3.C.1 - Earth and Human Activity - Grade 5

Electronics Recycling in Missouri - Grades 6-12

Is your old TV considered a hazardous waste? Through a PowerPoint presentation, students review data about electronics waste in the United States. Students will recognize the limited availability of major mineral deposits in the United States, and the negative impacts associated with mining. Students also take a look at some common electronic items to recognize the toxic materials inside them. Finally participants learn how they can recycle their electronics and find out about the resources on the department's Electronics webpage.

Missouri Learning Standards addressed:

• ESS3.A.1 – Earth and Human Activity - Grades 6 - 8
• ESS3.A.2 – Earth and Human Activity - Grades 9 - 12

Air Pollution 101 - Grades 9-12

Students learn about the six criteria pollutants designated by the EPA including ozone air pollution in a PowerPoint presentation. Students will also learn about the health effects of air pollution. Participants evaluate possible solutions to large sources of air emissions. In conclusion, students use a worksheet to determine what type(s) of air pollution are created by many common activities. This presentation also includes a quick overview of careers in environmental protection.

Missouri Learning Standards addressed:

• LS2.C.2 Ecosystems: Interactions, Energy and Dynamics – Grades 9-12
• ESS3.D.2 Earth and Human Activity – Grades 9-12

Safe Drinking Water - Grades 9-12

In this PowerPoint presentation, students learn about where their drinking water comes from and common contaminants. The process of cleaning and treating water so that it is safe to drink is explored. Students take the “Water Treatment Challenge” to identify and evaluate potential water treatment solutions for a scenario involving the drinking water needs for a new subdivision.

Missouri Learning Standards addressed:

• ETS1.B.1 – Engineering Design - Grades 9 -12

Water Pollution in Missouri - Grades 9-12

What are the major sources of water pollution in Missouri? Students learn about the four primary types of water pollution, and common water pollution sources. Students use a worksheet to analyze pollution sources and evaluate potential solutions. Students also learn about what contaminants have caused some streams in the St. Louis area to be listed as “impaired”, and what citizens can do to reduce stormwater pollution. This presentation also includes a quick overview of careers in environmental protection.

Missouri Learning Standards addressed:

• LS2.C.2 Ecosystems: Interactions, Energy and Dynamics (9-12)
• ESS3.D.2 Earth and Human Activity - Grades 9-12

Who Polluted Big Creek? - Grades 6-8

Through a PowerPoint presentation, students learn about water pollution and the concept of a watershed. The four primary types of water pollution are discussed. Students design a method to monitor a source of water pollution. Then students investigate common sources of urban pollution to try to solve the mystery of who polluted Big Creek. Students share their thoughts on possible solutions to common water pollutants and evaluate these solutions.

Missouri Learning Standards addressed:

• ESS3.C.2 Earth and Human Activity - Grades 6-8

Recycling and Waste Reduction Presentations

• St. Louis County
• St. Louis City
• Jefferson County
• St. Louis Teachers Recycle Center