Lesson 3- Managing Pathogens
About
The third video and lesson in the Groundswell Communities for Clean Water series discusses pathogen pollution and its impacts on water quality.
More About This Resource
Students discover more about pathogens, a major type of nonpoint source pollution affecting the Lower Grand River Watershed, through data-based activities using pathogen data from sampling sites in the Lower Grand River Watershed and creating a mock task force to address pathogen issues.
Students answer these essential questions in the context of the Lower Grand River Watershed:
- What are waterborne pathogens?
- What are the sources and effects of pathogens?
- What are some methods of monitoring pathogens?
- How can the pathogen load in a stream or river be reduced?
As you explore this resource, you will find a lesson designed for use with grades 7-12, Managing Pathogens.
Groundswell partnered with WGVU and the GVSU Annis Water Resources Institute to create educational videos and lesson plans about nonpoint source pollution. This type of pollution is one of the biggest threats to healthy lakes, streams, and rivers.
What are Pathogens?
Managing Pathogens
Designed as an introduction to the concept of pathogen pollution, this video discusses the management of pathogens in a watershed, particularly how pathogens impact the Lower Grand River Watershed in Michigan.
Lesson Three - Explore
Explore: Modeling a Septic System
Students create a model of a septic system to explore pathogens as a source of nonpoint source pollution.
Download Lesson Three Explore: Modeling a Septic System
Lesson Three - Explain
Explain: Testing for Indicator Bacteria
Students explore the question, "How can we tell if there are pathogens in the water?" by investigating their local water quality and testing for indicator bacteria.
Download Lesson Three Explain: Indicator Bacteria
Lesson Three - Elaborate
Elaborate: Fecal Coliform Data Sets
Students examine fecal coliform data sets for various locations in the Grand River watershed and consider how monitoring data can be translated into a usable format for understanding and decision-making.
Download Lesson Three Elaborate: Fecal Coliform Data Sets
Lesson Three - Full Lesson
Managing Pathogens
Explore and download the full content of Lesson Plan 3: Managing Pathogens, which focuses on pathogens as a major type of nonpoint source pollution affecting the Lower Grand River Watershed. This lesson encourages students to analyze, research, and model how to reduce pathogens in a watershed.