Environmental Education

A Watershed Approach to Education

Stroud Water Research Center’s education department interprets our scientists’ research. 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.

Education Programs

Stroud Center educators have developed extensive resources for educating adults and students in grades 4 and up about watersheds and their importance. Choose from on-site, off-site, and virtual program options; program scholarships are available.

School and
Youth Programs

Scout
Programs

Photo of Brownie Girl Scouts and leaders planting trees.

Community and
Family Programs

Professional Development

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Quick Links

For program inquiries, please visit this page.

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Education Resources

Online Courses

Curricula

Virtual Learning Resources

Macroinvertebrate Resources

Projects and Partnerships

Publications

Videos

Podcasts

WikiWatershed Toolkit

Globally, more than 3 billion people lack water quality data. Expanding access to monitoring tools helps communities protect their water and safeguard public health.

The WikiWatershed Toolkit helps citizens, conservation practitioners, municipal decision-makers, researchers, educators, and students advance knowledge and stewardship of fresh water.

Teachers using the Water Quality mobile app

Explore the Toolkit

Education Events

October 20, 2026

A student collects stream sample for Fall Salt Snapshot 2025.

Train-the-Trainer Workshop: Salty Streams and Safer Streets

Education News

Publication title with image of a mayfly

2024 Research Results and Recommendations for Effective Student/Teacher Engagement with National Parks About the Potomac Watershed

Kerlin, S., N. Marcum-Dietrich, K. Metzker, and D. Kline. 2024. Stroud Water Research Center Report #2024-002.

Educators explore the wetland wastewater treatment cells at the Stroud Center.

Enhancing Environmental Literacy With Watershed Education in Delaware Schools

Educator trainings and student programs are empowering school communities and families to take action to protect their local watersheds.

Teachers collecting aquatic macroinvertebrates at a workshop.

PA ELIT Network Launches Hubs for Educator Professional Development

Environmental educators have a new way to access professional development and resources to prepare them for the Pennsylvania STEELS Standards.

A teacher leads a group of small children along a woodland trail.

Reimagining Classrooms

Whether you call them outdoor classrooms, living schoolyards, or ecological schoolyards — we’ve got ideas for how to make the outdoors a place of discovery.

A woman sprinkles water from a watering can onto a watershed modeling table.

New Teaching Tool Shows How Land Use Alters Rain’s Path

Watershed modeling tables and companion lessons from the Stroud Center help people learn how actions on land impact streams and rivers.

A group of students installs a tree shelter in the streamside buffer at their school.

Volunteer-Led Tree Planting Engages Students in Stewardship

How one community’s action project is teaching students about water, trees, and wildlife and how to care for them.

Education Program Impact and Feedback

Impact Reports

Read about our education program impacts, project highlights, awards and recognitions, and participant feedback in our annual impact reports.

“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.”