The Eelgrass Game is an interactive game which allows students to understand real world scenarios as they take on “roles” of the individuals who interact directly or indirectly with eelgrass in the Long Island Sound watershed. Students make decisions based on their roles that impact the estuary’s water quality and health of its eelgrass beds and, throughout the Game, test the health of the Sound and its eelgrass beds. All materials needed are available through our free Loan Kit.

Grade Level: 6-12
Time Required: 1-2 class periods
Topics Addressed: Threats and pressures of ecosystems; Habitat restoration;  Biotic/abiotic interactions

Teacher Resources:
Activity Lesson Plan & Teacher Background Link Here

To borrow this Kit, please contact Larissa through email or phone (860-446-7371).

The Water Quality Detective Loan Kit provides all of the materials that educators need to collect and test water quality at various sites. Two lesson plans are included: Water Sampling, where students  learn about water quality, how human activities can positively or negatively affect it, and how to assess local water quality and Plankton Tow, where students will learn about plankton, how they change due to water quality and parameters, and how to identify them.

Grade Level: 5th - 12th
Time Required: Can be adapted accordingly
Topics Addressed: Threats and pressures of ecosystems; Habitat restoration;  Biotic/abiotic interactions

Teacher Resources:
Water Quality Detective - Water Quality Lesson Plan
Water Quality Detective - Plankton Tow Lesson Plan
Water Quality Detective - Materials Included

To borrow this Kit, please contact Larissa through email or phone (860-446-7371).

Kate, a student, has been monitoring salt marsh sparrow nests with a researcher to see how they are being impacted by sea level rise. She learns about restoration efforts to help drowning salt marshes and solves the mystery of what restoration will be best to help salt marsh sparrows.

Grade Level: 7-12
Time Required: 2-3 class periods
Topics Addressed: Threats and pressures of ecosystems; Habitat restoration;  Biotic/abiotic interactions

Teacher Resources:
Activity Lesson Plan & Teacher Background Link Here
Student Activity Sheet Link Here
Part 1 of the mystery: The Polar Bear of the Salt Marsh? Link Here

Solve the Mystery

The EnviroScape is a three-dimensional landscape (approx. 25" x 30" x 5") that illustrates residential, recreational, agricultural, industrial and transportation areas — all representing possible sources of water pollution in the environment. Children and adults learn by using chemicals (drink mix) and loose soil (cocoa) throughout a typical community to see how their actions and those of others may affect our water quality. This Loan Kit is owned and maintained by the Niantic River Watershed Committee.

Grade Level: Can be adapted for any grade level
Time Required: Can be adapted
Topics Addressed: Water quality, Pollution, Natural Resources, Watersheds, Wetlands, Erosion, Recycling

To borrow this Kit, contact Jamie Vaudrey at NianticRWC@gmail.com.