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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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Join our education newsletter list to receive updates about education programs, professional training opportunities, and virtual learning resources.

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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.


Program Feedback

“The students absolutely LOVED IT!!! All the staff were extremely engaging, enthusiastic and competent, which made our jobs extremely easy! We loved how hands on and engaging the entire activity was.”

“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.”

“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!”

“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!”

“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.”


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

Fourth graders taking tree measurements
Learning Leading to Action: Young Heroes Protecting Our Waterways
Students are not only learning how to protect our waterways; they are also conducting their own scientific research or restoring healthy streams — or sometimes both.
Model My Watershed Featured in STEM for All Video Showcase
Model My Watershed Featured in STEM for All Video Showcase
The video presentation highlights the Teaching Environmental Sustainability - Model My Watershed project to promote watershed stewardship, geospatial literacy, and systems thinking.
Child with leaf. Photo by Gabby Orcutt on Unsplash
Education Partnership Named as a Success Story
The Stroud Center’s partnership with the Watershed Education Training Institute (WETi) at Millersville University allows WETi to offer high-quality watershed curricula and instruction.
Isopoda (aquatic sowbugs)
Test Your Skills With the #MysteryMacro Quiz
Want a fun way to learn about freshwater macroinvertebrates? Check out the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission #MysteryMacro quiz featuring photos by Dave Funk.
"Muddy Boots Fund" Created to Benefit Boy Scouts and Stroud Center
“Muddy Boots Fund” Created to Benefit Boy Scouts and Stroud Center
As a result of a generous gift from brothers Greg, Barry, Keith, and Ray Bentley, the Chester County Council Boy Scouts of America and the Stroud Center are expanding their
Education Programs Get a Boost From BB&T
Education Programs Get a Boost From BB&T
BB&T's continued support has helped us teach thousands of public school students in grades 4 and up about the importance of freshwater stewardship.