Invasive species education is for anywhere you are. The lessons we have developed can be used in the classroom as stand-alone topics or to supplement classroom concepts. These lessons are for the curious learner who just wants to open the door and learn about topics on invasive species and water.
Each topic starts with a short video lesson and can be followed up by Creativity Corner activities on each topic. These activities work as extensions to every lesson. Click on the topics below to get started!
The classroom comes to you
Online Learning Topics
A Closer Look at Invasive Species
Do you know what aquatic invasive species are and why we really don’t want them around? In this video, Leah walks us through the key information on impacts, spread and prevention of invasive species. Learn about a few different types of AIS and why they’re so bad for our favorite places, then try your hand at some fun and challenging activities here.
Invasive Species Profile: Dreissenid Mussels
Interested in digging deeper into invasive species? Learn about one of the most prolific aquatic invasive species the United States has ever seen. Watch the video here.
Don’t Let it Loose!
Have you ever seen a tiny turtle and thought, “I want one of those!” But what do you do with a pet you once thought you wanted but can no longer keep? Releasing pets into the wild can have unintended consequences for animals already living there. Learn what can happen when you release a pet into the wild by watching the video here.
Macroinvertebrates
Who doesn’t like bugs?! Macroinvertebrates are a fascinating window into how nature works. Watch a video to learn about the life cycle of a few different bugs, and how their behaviors differ between bug type and even between life stages. In this video, Mr. Matt also introduces the idea of Indicator Species and what they mean for bugs, and for us. To watch the video and access the activities, click here.
The Water Cycle
Do you know why our planet is sometimes called the Blue Planet? Watch this video to learn all about the water that gives the Earth its nickname. Matt teaches us about the continuous movement of water that’s above, below and on the surface of the Earth. Watch the video here.
Water Distribution
Here at ISAN, we love water. We like to recreate on it, we like to drink it, and we like to help protect it from invasive species. And we’re betting you like water too! Watch this video to learn about where all the water in the world is and how people use it. Then learn what you can do to use it wisely. Watch the video here.
Riparian Foodwebs
In this lesson, we walk you through what riparian zones are and talk about the different types of riparian areas there are in the world. You’ll also learn about why they’re so important to plants and animals both big and small. Watch the video here.
Keystone Species
What do wolves, elk, beaver and cutthroat have in common? No, this isn’t the start of a bad joke. It’s the start of a whole new lesson by Mr. Matt! Learn what keystone species are and why they’re important to the world around us by watching the video then completing the activities here.
Interested in a topic not listed here?
Additional downloadable activities for fun:
Aquatic Invasive Species Crossword (AIS Crossword Answer Key)
Aquatic Invasive Species Word Search (AIS Word Search Answer Key)
Aquatic Macro-Invertebrates Crossword (AMI Crossword Answer Key)
Aquatic Macro-Invertebrates Word Search (AMI Word Search Answer Key)
Cutthroat Crossword (Cutthroat Crossword Answer Key)
Fish Dissection Crossword (Fish Dissection Crossword Answer Key)
Fish Dissection Word Search (Fish Dissection Word Search Answer Key)