Sacramento Area Creeks Council Mission and Contact Page

Using Creeks to Bring Science Lessons to Life!

Creeks naturally attract children of all ages. They are just about the right size body of water for easy exploration. With flowing water, wooded banks, a variety of wildlife - combined with a ready-made fascination - local creeks are an ideal resource for teaching science concepts.

Using creeks as outdoor classrooms provides concrete associations between students and their natural world. Understanding how human activities alter our environment in positive and negative ways allows students to become informed participants in their own futures. According to the State of California Department of Education, "research shows that environment-based education improves students' academic performance and test scores, reduces discipline and attendance problems, and increases their ability to transfer knowledge to new contexts."

Dipping into Creeks is a packet of material designed to provide the information and tools a teacher or youth leader needs to teach science concepts using creeks and creek habitat. The curriculum is full of projects and activities for grades 1-8, and correlates with the State of California Education Standards. Nature, science, biology, physical sciences, land use, ecology, conservation and natural resources are covered. Each packet includes:

Creek Activities - using creeks to bring science lessons to life
Adopt a Creek - caring for a creek
Quick and Easy Mini-activities - a variety of ways to learn and have fun at creeks or in the classroom
In-depth Study Activities - Aquatic sciences and water quality stations
Creek Life and Creek Ecology - a 60 page booklet for understanding creek ecosystems
Glossary and Vocabulary - helpful words and concepts to review before you begin
Other resources - a list of other opportunities

Curriculum are available at the Effie Yeaw Nature Center, (916) 489-4918, or may be ordered from the Urban Creek Council in care of the Arcade Creek Recreation and Park District at 4855 Hamilton Street, Sacramento, CA 95841, or telephone (916) 482-8377. The cost is $20.00. Add $5.00 for shipping and handling.

Dip Kits contain the equipment necessary for engaging the students in the learning activities presented in "Dipping Into Creeks." Kits may be borrowed from the Arcade Creek Recreation and Park District or the Effie Yeaw Nature Center.

The kits contain dip nets and buckets for collecting; hand magnifiers and viewing pans for observing small aquatic life; rulers, string, clipboards and pencils for measuring, calculating and recording observations; books and reference material; and more.

There is a $5.00 fee for use of the kit. A $50.00 deposit will be returned when the kit is brought back and all supplies are checked in.

In Sacramento, the Effie Yeaw Nature Center will be happy to offer a program for your classroom. You may contact them at (916) 489-4918. There is a program fee.

Sacramento Area Creeks Council, 4855 Hamilton Street Sacramento, California 95841
phone (916) 454 - 4544 email: ucc@arcadecreekrecreation.com