Educational Opportunities

Mission and Goals

The Watershed Lessons Program is dedicated to inspiring kids and adults to become lifelong learners and watershed stewards in Oak Ridge. In the process, students acquire knowledge and skills, build relationships, solve problems, overcome obstacles, make decisions, and take action. There is no age limit or barriers to lifelong learning.

Its goals are to:

  • Make watershed learning fun by using lessons that are relevant to everyday life
  • Engage students in meaningful projects that can truly make a difference in their community
  • Build bridges between organizations and their community

Program Features

Watershed Lessons and Activities

The program incorporates watershed lessons that are tailored to suit the specific audience. Each lesson is unique and consists of a short presentation followed by a fun, hands-on activity. Some of the topics include an introduction to your watershed, stream health, how to identify bugs in streams, best management practices for homeowners, how land use affects the ecosystem, stream chemistry, pollution, mapping, and of course - stormwater! Each lesson lasts approximately 45 minutes to 1 hour. You can sign up for as many or as few lessons that fit your organization or school.

Multi & Interdisciplinary Approach

In the past, we have taught at schools, but we are opening the doors to encourage anyone from any organization to become watershed stewards. Groups that we have worked with in the past include the Girl Scouts of America, Girls Inc., LEGO League, and Oak Ridge High School. Of course, teachers will always be highly encouraged to use our program, and teachers of multiple disciplines - biology, chemistry, ecology, social studies, and history, to name a few - independently or jointly can use these lessons. Watersheds know no boundaries between disciplines and organizations.

Hands-On Curricula

Curricula are created from the national Adopt-A-Watershed program, Project WET, Project Wild and the TVA Water Quality Monitoring Network. Their implementation provides valuable baseline knowledge and skills.

Community Projects

In addition, there are optional community projects for your group to participate in like stream clean-ups, tree plantings, invasive plant removals, or brainstorm your own project and we will help you achieve your vision!