Rivers and Us – a context for learning
Rivers and Us is a Waikato Regional Council (WRC) initiative to help teachers, students and communities investigate the water in their local area. It explores how people use water and the effects of these uses on water quality.
Inquiry and action learning process
Environmental issues are suited to inquiry investigations. This interactive guides you through the process. It uses the Rivers and Us programme as the subject for inquiry, but the process is transferable to most environmental issues.
About Rivers and Us
Rivers and Us is underpinned by the key dimensions of environmental education:
Education in the environment – using water monitoring and other outdoor activities to develop science capabilities.
Education about the environment – developing scientific content knowledge.
Education for the environment – engaging with science to take action as part of the local curriculum.
Integrated throughout Rivers and Us are key aims of environmental education:
Kaitiakitanga – awareness and sensitivity to the environment and related issues.
Knowledge and understanding of the environment and the impact of people on it – including mātauranga Māori.
Attitudes and values that reflect feelings of concern for the environment.
Skills (capabilities) involved in identifying, investigating and problem solving.
A sense of responsibility through participation and action.
Benefits of environmental education
Educators and students who have used the Rivers and Us programme discuss the value of the resources and the benefits that come from learning in an outdoors environment.
Question for discussion:
What do you think Sam means when she says that streams and trees could be good or bad?
Science concepts and curriculum links
The resources featured in Rivers and Us explore Planet Earth and Beyond and Living World concepts:
The Earth has a limited amount of freshwater, and it is continuously recycled.
Water goes through physical changes as it moves through the water cycle. The changes are powered by heat from the Sun.
River catchments are part of the water cycle.
Natural features can be changed by human actions.
Earth’s resources are affected by human actions.
Living things are suited to their particular environment.
Living things depend on each other and on the environment in which they live.
Changes in any part of an environment affect the relationships between the plants and animals that live there.
Changes in any part of an environment can hinder or improve the chances of some species surviving.
Stream health monitoring and assessment
How do we know whether a stream is healthy or not? Stream monitoring and assessment is important to understanding the impacts of land use on waterways.
Freshwater monitoring
Rivers and Us includes an emphasis on freshwater monitoring and taking action to protect/enhance water quality in your local area. Monitoring stream health takes you step by step through water quality monitoring and assessment. Ideally, students will use this data to inform subsequent action.
Resources to support learning
The Hub has created a suite of wraparound resources for teaching Rivers and Us:
Rivers and Us – introduction – article
Water in the Waikato region – article
Water catchments – article
Water quality – factors and issues – article
Water quality monitoring – article
Dairy farming solutions – article
Horticulture solutions – article
Urban solutions for water quality – article
Waikato Regional Council – article
Ngāti Hauā Mahi Trust – article
Our use of water – impacts on water quality – interactive
Land use – impacts on waterways – interactive
Wai Māori – interactive
Learning about the water cycle – interactive
Water flows and catchments – interactive
Water quality indicators – interactive
Stream health monitoring and assessment – interactive
Inquiry and action learning process – interactive
Follow the water droplet – activity
Water cycle models – activity
Mapping water at my school – activity
Mapping my local water catchment – activity
Build a model water catchment – activity
Wai words – activity
Monitoring stream health – activity
WRC Rivers and Us resources in downloadable PDF format:
Freshwater Monitoring – Macroinvertebrate Identification Sheet
Freshwater Monitoring – Stream Health Monitoring Data Recording Sheet
Related content
In this recorded webinar Alex Daniel from the Waikato Regional Council shares her approach to planning for a successful stream monitoring experience.
Tōku awa koiora – introduction curates resources about the Waikato River ecosystems and the iwi, researchers and scientists who are working to restore and protect the health and wellbeing of the Waikato River.
Smart Water – a context for learning curates resources that foster a greater understanding and appreciation of water from source to tap. Smart Water is a partnership between Hamilton City Council, Waipā District Council and Waitomo District Council.
Repo (wetlands) – a context for learning explores wetland connections and wetland restoration using a te ao Māori approach. Use a similar inquiry and action learning process that has wetlands as the context for learning.
Lakes380 – a context for learning curates resources that explore lake health past and present and draw upon both scientific and m Māori knowledge systems.
For a closer look at dairy farming, its impacts and its innovations to help reduce greenhouse gas emissions, check out Dairy farming and climate change – a context for learning. The interactive planning pathway in the article provides numerous starting points and resources to assist educators.
Teaching remotely and learning from home? The Learning at home – river catchments and connections collection has some simple ideas to keep students actively engaged in STEM activities.
Acknowledgement
This article has been developed in partnership with the Waikato Regional Council as part of the Rivers and Us resource.
Waikato Regional Council
Waikato Regional Council is a local government body. They work with communities, iwi and industry to sustainably manage natural resources, enabling a strong economy and a high quality of life for all. Their activities help look after the region's water, soil, air, geothermal areas and coasts.
