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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 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

The Watershed Education Mobile Lab is coming in fall 2021.
Coming to Your Site Soon: The Watershed Education Mobile Lab!
As a new initiative to increase accessibility, our educators will soon be able to travel to your school, community, or group location to deliver meaningful watershed education programming.
Publication title with image of a mayfly
A case study of the effects of a school outdoor learning initiative — Spring 2021
Kerlin, S., and N. Marcum-Dietrich. 2021. Report from Stroud Water Research Center.
A student peers into a microscope to examine an aquatic macroinvertebrate, an indicator of stream health.
Expanding Global Learning Opportunities
We've synthesized digital, remote, and in-person teaching methods, developed remote learning kits, and tailored programming for local high-needs audiences and learners of all abilities.
Local Artist Donates Proceeds From Show to Benefit Future of Fresh Water
Local Artist Donates Proceeds From Show to Benefit Future of Fresh Water
Matthew Shackelford's donation to the Future of Fresh Water Initiative will help foster and train future generations of freshwater stewards.
Updates to Water Quality Mobile App Support Data Collection and Stream-to-Screen Education
Updates to Water Quality Mobile App Support Data Collection and Stream-to-Screen Education
Are you looking for a new digital learning tool to support your water quality monitoring with students or citizen scientists? Check out Stroud Water Research Center's Water Quality Mobile App.
First Resource Bank made a $2,500 Earned Income Tax Credit contribution to environmental education.
First Resource Bank Contribution Boosts Virtual and In-Person Education Programming
The environmental education team is staying active during the pandemic by offering smaller, outside, in-person classes and virtual programming to teachers across the state and beyond.