Stream Ecology

Find a safe, calm body of water to sample using a net, light-colored bucket and clear cups.

Fill the bucket with a few inches of water; sample with a net and dump contents into the bucket including plant material. Scoop cups into buckets to identify macroinverts and other aquatic life up close. Once you are done sampling, dump all contents back into the water, including plant material because there are microinvertebrates living in the plants.

Take pictures of what you find and draw the animals/insects. If you are unable to identify what you find on site, take notes about each animal/insect and research when you get home.


Activity is open to all ages and was adapted from Rock Eagle 4-H Center Education Program Curriculum. It meets the needs or can be combined with other activities for the following Georgia Standards of Excellence in Science:

  • S2E3. Obtain, evaluate, and communicate information about how weather, plants, animals, and humans cause changes to the environment.
  • S3L1. Obtain, evaluate, and communicate information about the similarities and differences between plants, animals, and habitats found within geographic regions (Blue Ridge Mountains, Piedmont, Coastal Plains, Valley and Ridge, and Appalachian Plateau) of Georgia.
  • S4E3. Obtain, evaluate, and communicate information to demonstrate the water cycle.
  • S5L1. Obtain, evaluate, and communicate information to group organisms using scientific classification procedures.
  • S7L4. Obtain, evaluate, and communicate information to examine the interdependence of organisms with one another and their environments.