Purdue Extension Water Quality Home

4-H and Youth

Purdue Extension offers opportunities for youth and educators to learn about water quality and related environmental issues. From 4-H programs to events and workshops to classroom activities, a diverse selection of resources is available.

4-H Soil and Water Conservation

The 4-H soil and water conservation project is intended to teach youth about two most important natural resources, soil and water. Another goal of this project is to increase environmental stewardship by teaching youth about the complex interactions that exist in our natural environment.

The project enables youth between grades 3 and 12 to learn many topics affecting water quality:
-Soil & Water - Useful Resources
-Soils are Different
-Looking at Life in the Soil
-Plants and Animals Need Soil & Water
-Erosion by Wind and Water Harms Soil
-Conservation Can Help
-Water Properties
-The Water Cycle
-Water Quality
-Conservation Careers

To teach youth to understand soil and water processes, four project levels have been developed:
Level A, 3rd - 4th grades (4-H 795)
Level B, 5th - 6th grades (4-H 796)
Level C, 7th - 8th grades (4-H 797)
Level D, 9th - 12th grades (4-H 798)
Leader's Guide (4-H 830)

A Leaders Guide is available and includes:
-Group Activities
-Solutions to youth activities
-Definitions
-Resources

These materials may be ordered from Purdue by calling 1-888-EXT-INFO or visit the Education Store.

Safe Water for Kids
The Safe Water for Kids Activities have been designed as a tool for teachers, educators and water company operators to use so that they may more clearly show the balance between our activities and the environment. Each activity can be used to further clarify specific issues and explore hypothetical situations.

How Does Water Move Through the Earth?
To demonstrate the presence and character of pore spaces in sediments and rocks.

Where Does Contamination Go?
To demonstrate conservation of mass, and contaminant movement.

Is Dilution the Solution to Pollution?
To show the effect of dilution on certain contaminants.

Down the Drain and into the Yard
To demonstrate how a private septic system works, ways it can be damaged and how it should be maintained.

Aquifer in a Pan
To demonstrate some aspects of the interactions between ground water and surface water. To provide a visual tool to show how water is stored in an aquifer, and how drinking water can become contaminated by human activities that occur near the earth’s surface.


Biological Control of Purple Loosestrife
Purple loosestrife is a widespread and serious problem that affects wetlands, lakes, and waterways throughout the United States. Control by conventional means (water level management, burning, herbicides, direct digging, cutting) has proven to be extremely difficult and is impractical on a large scale. An alternative is the biological control of purple loosestrife by introduction of natural enemies from its native range. Youth can contribute to controlling loosestrife if provided with the right tools and adult guidance. The information provided here will help to get you started!

Indiana's Water Riches
 Indiana's Water Riches introduces upper elementary students to one of the earth's most precious natural resources - water. The program encourages everyone to do their part in understanding, protecting, and conserving water supplies.

Five units are included. Each unit gives the unit objectives, background information, demonstrations designed for instructor presentation to students, and master copies for overheads and student handouts.
  • Water Use
  • The Water Cycle
  • Surface and Ground Water
  • Water Pollution
  • Water Conservation

Each unit includes the unit objectives, background information, demonstrations, and master copies of overheads and student study sheets. Answers to questions on the worksheets are given at the end of the publication.

Order Indiana's Water Riches by calling 1-888-EXT-INFO or visit the Education Store.

Assessing Field Practices and Soil Health
Students in grades 7 - 12 can learn about improving agricultural field practices and soil health by conducting in-the-field environmental assessments. The Field Assessment for Water Resource Protection page provides materials, curricula, powerpoints, video module, and excercise handouts for educators.



Youth Environmental Programs
Natalie Carroll











 
Updated August 23, 2005
Purdue Extension

For questions regarding the content of this site contact Brent Ladd. For information on the Purdue Extension Water Quality Program contact
Jane Frankenberger, Agricultural and Biological Engineering, Purdue University		  
   
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