This aquatic ecology class brings a portable stream bed into the classroom and onto the student's desktop. Aquatic macroinvertebrate and phyto/zooplankton communities are used to teach the importance of biodiversity, form vs. function, biology, anatomy, speciation, biotic index, taxonomy, riparian niche and habitat, tropism, trophic level, sediment, clean water, and reduction of pollution. The overall goal is to teach each student about their personal connection to the health of the aquatic environment.

Each student receives forceps, pipette, test tubes, magnifying glass, sorting tray, petri dish, collection bottle, and several rocks, pieces of wood and leaf matter collected from the Benthic level of a local steam bed, sampled within the hour. Fresh specimens of various aquatic flora and fauna are collected, identified, and observed under low-power projecting microscope and high power dual-headed microscope.

This program takes students through the riparian buffer and into the water, where they learn about the importance of the health of the river. They are shown how easily sampled species act as an indictor for the health of the river. Creek Crawls™ use simple tools to collect samples and rely on basic observations and a field guide to derive a biotic index. After arriving at the test site, students are asked to draw a rough map of the section of the steam to be sampled. Groups of students are tasked to collect from different habitats using steam bottom rocks, leaf-matter, and kick-nets. Students work in groups to identify up to 200 different organisms. These samples are roughly sorted by class and order and recorded to form a biotic index based in the entire classes' results. The quantity and quality of riparian vegetation is discussed and recorded on their maps, along with information on upstream polluters. The health of the stream, as a function of the riparian buffer and upstream polluters, is correlated with students derived biotic index.

Creek Crawl™ is a follow-up to Critter Class™, but can be taught as a stand alone class.

Invite our creek critters to your next party! Dr. Mike will bring a real aquatic ecology class to your next party where your young scientists will help collect, identify, and observe fauna and flora specimens with a projecting microscope. Dr. Mike holds a PHD in Environmental Health Sciences, has taught at the elementary, middle, high school, and college levels, been a camp counselor, conducted numerous sessions for scouts and civic groups, and looks forward to seeing you at your next party! For questions, or to schedule your party, contact Dr. Mike at info@redridgenc.org.