61. Black Rock Forest: Fourth Grade Water Testing

Water test kit used by fourth grade students when they conduct field tests to determine the health of streams at Black Rock Forest. This data collection trip helps connect local environmental issues to their study of the global water crisis.

How do you get over 90 highly inquisitive and energetic 4th graders excited to learn about water quality? We kicked-off our Water Assignment by introducing students to the global water crisis: a devastating situation in which millions of people throughout the world lack access to safe clean drinking water and proper sanitation facilities.

For many of our students, who can easily access safe clean water, this crisis served as a startling and motivating hook to learn more about the properties of water and to consider ways to cause change in this matter of social justice. Students delved further by learning about the chemical properties of water, the NYC watershed, and how they could conduct field tests to determine the health of streams. To foster experiential learning outside of Dalton’s walls, we visited Black Rock Forest. The rich biodiversity fully engaged the awe of our young students during their pursuit of investigating stream health.

For two weeks, we took every 4th grade class at Dalton on separate day trips to the forest. This created individualized learning opportunities for each group. Our students collected data on stream temperature, pH, dissolved oxygen concentrations, and sampled macroinvertebrates of their stream site. Additionally, they participated in a silent hike and visited a vernal pond. The natural resources at Black Rock Forest are breathtaking and the educational staff helped to curate powerful learning experiences that will stay with our 4th graders forever.
—Alicia Reid, PhD,  Middle and High School Science Teacher