Children participate in an educational programs with the University of florida's Aquatics and Fisheries department. UF/IFAS photo: Thomas Wright.

Welcome to our Education Corner! Here we hope to provide parents and teachers of students in grades Pre-K through 12 with all the materials they need to integrate wetlands learning in their students' curriculum. The following are links to sites (mostly government and non-profit based) that have lesson plans for wetlands activities, including group experiments and investigations, reference material, fact sheets and even suggested reading.

If you would like to add another site to this list please contact the webmaster and share the address.

For All Ages

Project Wet - interdisciplinary water education program for educators
Broad-based water resource activities developed, field-tested, and reviewed by over 600 educators and resource managers working with 34,000 students nationwide.

USGS: Fragile Fringe - A Guide for teaching about Coastal Wetlands
Multi-unit curriculum on wetlands, including an age-appropriate focus for elementary, upper-elementary and middle and high school students. This site also includes a reading list of relevant books for grades pre-K through 8.

Wetlands Classroom Activities
Hands-on experiments for every age group. The following are examples: grades K-3: Water in the World, Build your own water cycle; grades 4-7: Non-point Source Pollution, Build your own aquifer, grades 8-12: Source Water Protection: Ground Water, Build Your Own Watershed.

The Water Sourcebook Series
These PDF files contain 4 volumes appropriate for Grades K - 2, 3 - 5, 6 - 8, & 9 - 12. The Series explains how the water management cycle affects every aspect of the environment. The curriculum provides strong science and math content, but also links these subject areas to social studies and language arts. Each Water Sourcebook contains hands-on activities and investigations, fact sheets, reference materials, and a glossary of terms.

Adopt-A-Watershed
Adopt-A-Watershed uses a local watershed as a living laboratory in which students engage in hands-on activities, making science applicable and relevant to their lives. It weaves education with the community developing collaborative partnerships and reinforcing learning through community service.

Wetlands Reading List, Grades Pre-K- 12
Books can transport readers right into wetlands. This comprehensive reading list include such favorites as The Lorax by Dr. Seuss, The Wind in the Willows by Kenneth Grahame, Pilgrim at Tinker Creek by Annie Dillard and Chesapeake by James A. Michener. Full identification information is listed for each book, as well as a synopsis and comment about its contribution to the list.

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For Elementary Students

The Jason Project XVI: Disappearing Wetlands
JASON Expedition is a supplemental, inquiry-based, science learning adventure for upper elementary, middle and junior high. The mission of this year’s JASON Expedition is to better understand what wetlands are, why they are disappearing, and how
to best manage these ecosystems in Louisiana, in your neighborhood, and
around the world.The JASON Foundation for Education non-profit educational organization headquartered in Needham, Massachusetts.

Splash: Water Resources Education
Activities, fact pages and wetland games including Wetland Thoughts, The Wetland Connection, and Building a Wetland (an experiment to create a wetland in a lasagna pan). All lesson plans detail the corresponding Sunshine State Standards objectives.

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For Middle School Students

The Jason Project XVI: Disappearing Wetlands
JASON Expedition is a supplemental, inquiry-based, science learning adventure for upper elementary, middle and junior high. The mission of this year’s JASON Expedition is to better understand what wetlands are, why they are disappearing, and how
to best manage these ecosystems in Louisiana, in your neighborhood, and
around the world.The JASON Foundation for Education non-profit educational organization headquartered in Needham, Massachusetts.

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For High School Students

Surf Your Watershed
Just enter your zip code to learn about the watershed in your neighborhood. Each zip code includes information about "citizen-based groups at work in this watershed" (brought to you by Adopt-A-Watershed) and local "River Corridors and Wetlands Restoration Efforts" for those interested in community involvement.

Environmental Careers: Wetland Ecologist
Provides a thorough wetland ecologist job description including employment and working conditions and required training. Also a database of other environmental oriented jobs and links to internship and career-related sites.

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Special Programs

The Florida Master Naturalist Program
FMNP is a state-wide adult education extension program for persons interested in learning more about Florida’s environment, seeking educational contact hours, or wishing to increase their knowledge for use in education programs as volunteers, employees, and ecotourism guides. The FMNP includes courses in 3 subject areas – Freshwater Wetlands, Coastal Systems, and Upland Habitats. Students receive 40 educational contact hours including classroom learning, field trips, and practical experience in interpretation. Cost per course is $200. Students receive detailed course manuals and, upon completion, UF certificates, patches, and pins denoting their area of expertise (e.g., Wetlands Naturalist) and are registered in the UF database of Florida Master Naturalists.


The Girl Scout Water Drop Path patchWater Drop Path Program for Girl Scouts
A wetlands education program where Girl Scouts (Brownies, Juniors, Cadettes and Seniors) can earn a patch while making a difference in their community's wetlands.

Educating Young People About Water
This searchable database will lead you to information on curriculum in 140 water-related topics, including, but far from limited to Wetland ecosystems. Each piece of curriculum is explained in detail, but must be purchased (at this site) from sources around the country.


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