Study Squam Lake aboard a floating classroom. Using hands-on measurements of pH, dissolved oxygen, water hardness, clarity, and temperature, student teams assess the lake’s health. Students also examine lake sediment and collect plankton to observe with a high definition projection microscope. All data are posted on the Science Center’s website for teachers to compare with results from past years. Program includes a thirty minute virtual introduction scheduled a few days prior to your visit.
Lake Exploration
- Program Type: School
- Duration: 120 min.
- Environment: Outdoors
- Location: SLNSC
- Ages: Middle School, High School
- Availability: Fall, Spring, Summer
Next Generation Science Standards Connections
- MS-LS1-6 From Molecules to Organisms: Structures and Processes – Construct a scientific explanation based on evidence for the role of photosynthesis in the cycling of matter and flow of energy into and out of organisms.
- MS-LS2-1 Ecosystems: Interactions, Energy, and Dynamics – Analyze and interpret data to provide evidence for the effects of resource availability on organisms and populations of organisms in an ecosystem.
- MS-LS2-3 Ecosystems: Interactions, Energy, and Dynamics – Develop a model to describe the cycling of matter and flow of energy among living and nonliving parts of an ecosystem.
- MS-LS2-4 Ecosystems: Interactions, Energy, and Dynamics – Construct an argument supported by empirical evidence that changes to physical or biological components of an ecosystem affect populations.
- MS-ESS3-4. Construct an argument supported by evidence for how increases in human population and per-capita consumption of natural resources impact Earth’s systems.