Waterlife (1.5 hours)

As hatchery, nursery or grocery the pond is a community that fulfills many needs for the plants and animals that live in and around it.  We will take a close-up look at this water habitat during a  walk around the pond.  Along the walk we will locate the inlet and outlet, perform shoreline sampling and an examination of pond inhabitants, and collect a plankton sample for examination.  The maximum number of groups scheduled for the Waterlife program is three.  The program may be modified to accommodate one, two, or three groups. 

Shoreline Sampling and Visiting the Pond Inlet (1/2 hour) 

Students will be shown how to use nets in order to collect samples of the organisms found along the south shoreline of the pond.  Students will then use nets in order to collect samples of these organisms.  With the assistance of the instructor and identification cards, students will learn to identify these organisms and relate them to their lifecycle and role in the pond community.  Students will then visit the inlet of the pond in order to measure the temperature of the water and learn the impacts of the watershed, or land surrounding the pond, on the life within the pond.

*Note: Students that have already completed sampling at the north shore near the pond outlet will continue their waterlife study by learning about some animals and plants that inhabit the pond community.  Students will discuss the habitats and relationships of these plants and animals.  The temperature of the water at the outlet of the pond will be compared with the temperature of the water at the inlet of the pond.

Pond Inhabitants (1/2 hour)

Students will be brought outside on the dock located at the Pebble House in order to observe and assist in gathering a plankton sample from the pond using a plankton net.  The plankton collected from the pond will be placed under a microscope and projected on a television screen for all students to observe.  Students will gather at a classroom close to the pond where they will learn the parts of the pond and the dynamic nature of the pond as it is affected by seasonal and external influences.  While in the classroom, the students will have the opportunity for close-up observation of some live and preserved specimens that inhabit ponds.  Students will learn the tropic role of each these animals within the pond ecosystem.  Students will observe the process of metamorphosis through a color slide presentation.

Visiting the Pond Outlet (1/2 hour)

Students will walk around the pond moving toward the outlet of the pond and observing the shoreline habitats of the pond and the plants and animals that live there.  Once at the outlet, students will stand in a semi-circle and assist in measuring the water’s temperature.  The temperature of the water at the outlet of the pond will be compared with the temperature of the water at the inlet of the pond.

*Note: Groups not sampling at the south shore will complete their sampling activities at the north shore, near the outlet of the pond.   Students will be shown how to use nets in order to collect samples of the organisms found along the shoreline of the pond.  Students will then use nets in order to collect samples of these organisms.  With the assistance of the instructor and identification cards, students will learn to identify these organisms and relate them to their lifecycle and role in the ecosystem.

Waterlife Vocabulary