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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.

PROGRAMMING UPDATE: Protecting the health of our communities matters as deeply to us as sparking lifelong learning and stewardship. We’re implementing rigorous sanitation of education materials, adapting programs for social distance, and modeling the best guidelines available for COVID-19 safety. We currently offer:
💧 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).
No matter where you are in the world, contact the Stroud Center education department or submit a request to schedule.

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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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Education Events

See also: All Stroud Center Events

Curricula

Virtual Learning Resources

Macroinvertebrate Resources

Projects and Partnerships

Publications

Videos

Podcasts

Programs

School and
Youth Programs

Scout
Programs

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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

An video still showing an aerial view of buildings near a lake in an arid environment.
Future of Water
The scarcity of drinking water is beginning to capture the world’s attention but a radical source of water might just be found in one of Earth’s driest places.
A group of scouts and leaders take a break from their service project.
Scouts From 12 Troops Tackle Hybrid Merit Badge Program
Stroud Water Research Center educators hosted their second hybrid merit badge program for Scouts BSA this fall using an improved online learning platform.
Stroud Center educators give thumbs up as they prepare to take the Watershed Education Mobile Lab on the road.
Watershed Education Mobile Lab Advances Environmental Literacy
Students and educators in the Shenandoah Valley explored watershed science with our mobile lab, learning how their actions impact the Chesapeake Bay.
Staff from First Resource Bank and the Stroud Center hold an oversized check representing a donation.
First Resource Bank Boosts Its Support of Education Programming
Thanks to First Resource Bank for their $3,500 donation to our environmental education program through an Earned Income Tax Credit contribution.
Children dip their hands into a tub of river water with freshwater clams.
Water Protectors: Celebrating the Seneca Nation’s Efforts to Strengthen the Next Generation of Freshwater Stewards
Stroud Center educators worked with Seneca Nation leaders on meaningful freshwater education concepts to empower their citizens to improve their tribal waterways.
Adventuring in the waterfalls of the highlands of Puerto Rico.
Around the World With Kathryn Metzker
As the Stroud Center’s new watershed education specialist, Kathryn Metzker has come full circle since she first visited White Clay Creek with her classmates when she was 12.