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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.

Subscribe to E-News

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

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.
Two Harambee Institute students looking at aquatic macroinvertebrates they collected from a stream.
PA to Meet Rise of STEM Economy With New Education Standards Featuring Environmental Literacy
STEM professionals can help solve the world’s leading environmental challenges. Learn how Pennsylvania’s new science standards have been revised to prepare the next generation for such vital work.
Mandy Nix collecting macroinvertebrates in the east branch of White Clay Creek.
Congrats and Farewell, Mandy Nix
Stroud Water Research Center congratulates and says farewell to Mandy Nix, our all-star watershed education specialist, as she begins the next chapter of her career.
A student weighs dried leaves in a mesh bag in preparation for a leaf pack project.
Teen’s Eye-Opening Experiment to Monitor Local Water Quality Wins at Science Fair
“My finding surprised me and taught me that the clean water in my community is more limited than I thought.”