WATERWATCH ACTIVITY - LEADERS NOTES

EQUIPMENT

Per group of 3 – 4 children

1 white plastic viewing tray
1 white plastic ice cube tray
1 green viewing miscoscope
1 net to collect water bugs
white plastic spoons
1 laminated “Aquatic Macro-invertebrate Identification Key”> from Waterwatch
1 unlaminated key so the record sheet on the back can be used for the 10+ age group
Rubber boots


The Douglas Scrub Management Committee acknowledges the financial support provided by the City of Onkaparinga Environment Fund in setting up this activity.

THE ACTIVITY

Location: Douglas Scrub Dam area

Collecting
Collect equipment and assemble at the campfire circle near dam. Explain what “water bugs” – Aquatic Macro Invertebrates” are and how to collect samples. See information on key sheet.
Leader/Teacher needs to demonstrate collecting and upending net into white tray of shallow water.
Each group then collects for 5 – 10 minutes putting their collection into their tray. Suggest they try different areas on dam edge.

Sorting
Set out equipment on seats around campfire circle for each group:
Identification chart
Ice cube tray
Magnifier
Plastic Spoons

Each group then checks out what they have collected using spoons and magnifiers, placing one of each different type of bug in each cub of ice block try with water. The aim being to identify as many different sort so of bugs as possible and judge the quality of the water as per the chart.

For 10+ age group: Use the record sheet to calculate the pollution index, this will need some help from adults and some group discussion.

Finish:
Return all bugs to dam except Mosquito fish if you can identify them.

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