Science and research-based lessons about conservation, natural resources and water quality
Water Rocks!, the Iowa State University Extension and Outreach youth water education program, has opened its Water Rocks! Live Streaming Virtual Presentation request platform for January and February virtual learning sessions. The award-winning Water Rocks! program brings science and research-based lessons about conservation, natural resources and water quality to Iowa schools free of charge. All sessions are correlated with the Next Generation Science Standards, adopted to guide curriculum in most Iowa schools.
“Water Rocks! Live Streaming presentations bring high-energy, science-based natural resources education programs right into each classroom using an interactive format that encourages student engagement and promotes learning,” said Ann Staudt, Water Rocks! director. “Last school year we delivered 142 virtual presentations working with nearly 2,900 students. The virtual sessions are designed to pack a lot of learning into a single class period utilizing fun and engaging methods that make the most of the technology investment of Iowa schools.”
Water Rocks! virtual presentations are delivered using a unique and private YouTube link that is delivered to the teacher. The presentations are always attuned to the grade level of each classroom and incorporate individual or classroom-based interactive channels to facilitate trivia, virtual scavenger hunts and other activities. The lessons may also be adapted to incorporate locally relevant or locale-specific information to include reference to projects at a school such as prairie restoration or butterfly gardens students may already know about.
Teacher feedback and evaluations from some of the 2022-23 live streaming presentations offer high praise for the program.
- “I love that [the presenter] made it very personal by commenting about wetlands around Carroll. I like how the presenters addressed comments right away. Very cool for the kids to see.” — Fifth grade teacher, Kuemper Catholic School, Carroll.
- “Students loved hearing answers to their specific questions and enjoyed learning about Iowa’s landscape. We will teach a whole unit on water systems and human impact.” — Fifth grade teacher, Lakewood Elementary, Norwalk.
- “My favorite part was the interaction by Google Docs. The activities were great. Thank you for the great presentation.” — Seventh-ninth grade teacher, Beckman Catholic High School, Dyersville.
Through the support of generous partners, live streaming virtual presentations are delivered free of charge to schools.
Water Rocks! Live Streaming visit topics available for request include:
- Exploring Nature (Grades K-2).
- Watersheds: Unlocking the Secrets to Cleaner Water (Grades 3-12).
- The Wonderful World of Wetlands (Grades 3-12).
- The Power of Pollinators (Grades 3-12).
Water Rocks! will work with teachers to help determine the best module for their classroom and curriculum. Teachers can access pre-session and post-session resources and activity recommendations to help maximize the benefits to students and expand the learning opportunities.
To learn more about Water Rocks! classroom visits or to submit a request for your classroom or school, visit https://www.waterrocks.org/request-a-visit.
About Water Rocks!
Water Rocks! is Iowa’s unique, award-winning statewide youth water education program. Through a combination of STEM and the arts, especially music, Water Rocks! educates, challenges and inspires young people toward a greater appreciation of our state’s water, soil and other natural resources. Partners of Water Rocks! include: Iowa State University Extension and Outreach, Iowa Department of Natural Resources (United States Environmental Protection Agency, Section 319 of the Clean Water Act), Leopold Center for Sustainable Agriculture and personal gifts of support. Learn more at www.waterrocks.org
