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Environmental Education

A Watershed Approach to Education

Stroud™ Water Research Center’s education department interprets the research of our scientists. Our programs are multidisciplinary and oriented to a wide audience. We hope that through exposure to our programs and information, people will be motivated to become responsible stewards of freshwater resources.

Our educators have developed extensive resources for educating “K through gray” audiences about watersheds and their importance. On-site and off-site school and scout programs, professional development workshops, and community and family programs are just some of the available options.

Upcoming Education Events

See all Stroud Center Events

Program offerings

  • Virtual/online stream and watershed study experiences.
  • Outdoor-only education programs located at the Stroud Center.
  • Outdoor education programs at your site (e.g., school or local park).

Contact the Stroud Center education department or submit a request to schedule.

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Curricula

Virtual Learning Resources

Macroinvertebrate Resources

Projects and Partnerships

Publications

Videos

Podcasts

Programs

School and
Youth Programs

Scout
Programs

Photo of Brownie Girl Scouts and leaders planting trees.

Community and
Family Programs

Professional Development
and Training

Program scholarships are available! There are several funding sources that allow the Stroud Center to offer programs at no or reduced cost for your school or youth group. Our funding from the Pennsylvania Education Improvement Tax Credit program and other grants to subsidize education programs varies from year to year.

Request a Program
Pay for a Program

Program Feedback

“The facilitators were very knowledgeable. They challenged the kids and held their interest. As one of many field trips I have attended with my kids over the years this by far tops my list.”

“Just had an AMAZING field trip there with the 4th grade…. Thanks so much for a great day! Super day, really! The educators are super. They are the perfect ‘speed’ for the kids.”

“Thank you for an amazing day at your facility! I am sure every member of our watershed steward class left knowing much more than they did when we entered. You guys were great!”

“Thanks again for an outstanding field trip. Your ability to accommodate my student with hearing and visual challenges was exemplary! I’ve heard many favorable comments from our staff!”

WikiWatershed

WikiWatershed® is a web toolkit to support citizens, conservation practitioners, municipal decision-makers, researchers, educators, and students to collaboratively advance knowledge and stewardship of fresh water. WikiWatershed is an initiative of Stroud Water Research Center.

Model My Watershed®

Model storms and compare conservation or development scenarios.

Leaf Pack Network®

Learn about your stream’s health by performing a leaf pack experiment.

Runoff Simulation

Explore how land use and soil determine stormwater runoff.

Leaf Pack Network Simulation

Leaf Pack Network Simulation screenshot
If you can’t get to a stream to perform a study, you now have a virtual option!

Monitor My Watershed®

Screenshot of Monitor My Watershed Browse Sites page
Share your water-quality data and explore data from other sources.

Macroinvertebrates.org

Macroinvertebrates.org homepage screenshot
Learn to identify 150 taxa commonly used in citizen science and education.

EnviroDIY™

Photo of two men building an environmental monitoring sensor
Join a community for do-it-yourself environmental monitoring.

Water Quality Mobile App

Enhance stream study and monitoring activities with a mobile app.

Education News

Elementary schools students use binoculars to look for birds in Philadelphia.
Celebrate Living Schoolyards Month
You can celebrate by bringing your students and lessons outdoors. If your school doesn’t have an outdoor learning space, you can create one!
Five girls walking in a stream.
Scientists for a Day
Students visiting the Stroud Center gather data to help answer a guiding question: “How healthy is the East Branch of White Clay Creek?”
A child in a wheelchair uses a net to capture creek critters.
Wild About Water
Creek Critters, a book for kids created in partnership with Stroud Water Research Center, inspires scientific discovery in a Utah school.
Children and parents look at wild fish humanely captured from White Clay Creek.
Philly-Area Families and Friends of the Stroud Center Celebrate World Water Day for a Second Year
Squeals of delight echoed through the woods as children, along with their parents, got up-close glimpses of fish living in White Clay Creek.
Four elementary school students at outdoor environmental club.
Environmental Literacy and Justice for All
The Stroud Center is helping teachers bring meaningful STEM experiences to city students through environmental and outdoor clubs.
A debris dam of large branches catches leaves in a stream which then host macroinvertebrates and microbes.
How Fallen Leaves Are a Tree’s Gift to a Stream
Former Stroud Center intern and now restoration professional at the Alliance of the Chesapeake Bay, Rebecca Lauver reflects on a dietary staple of healthy streams.