Northern Nevada Watersheds and Sources

Created in partnership with the Truckee Meadows Water Authority, this unit introduces students to the concept of watersheds and helps students explore the Truckee River watershed. Students will learn about water sources, surface water, and groundwater through hands-on, STEAM activities. The unit will culminate in the creation of a final group model of students’ local watershed. This Green Box also introduces students to careers in hydrology and geology.   

Hands-on Activities: 

• Group water use inventory 
• Navigating an interactive story map of the Truckee River watershed 
• Upstream-Downstream scenario simulation 
• Aquifer lab 
• Watershed model creation 

Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS):

MS-ESS2-4 •  MS-ESS3-1