Home-School Projects: Why not watersheds?

Okay, do I have any other ideas for projects.  Why not watersheds?  No, it's not daunting!  If you have ice cube trays and a thermometer, you have all of the equipment needed to start.  My friends at Cacapon Institute have an eschool with information on benthic macroinvertebrates or insect larvae in streams which characterize the water quality of the stream.  Cacapon even has a virtual stream to learn how to identify macroinvertebrates before going out to a real stream.  Stroud has a Frey dichotomous key to print and use at the stream.  Still intimidated?  Contact Trout Unlimited to locate a local chapter to see if a volunteer is available to go with you and your family to do a stream assay.  Another association is the National Association of Conservation Districts to locate your local district. I've worked with representatives from conservation districts for years.  They serve as a clearinghouse for other agencies and sometimes have an education specialist.  I usually invite a stream specialist with my group to go outside.  You can, too!  Once you try a stream assessment, you're going to want to do more projects!