Resources for You
Our programs bring natural resources to life with hands-on, interactive lessons designed by a certified teacher. Each activity is:
- Grade-level appropriate and aligned with Washington State standards
- Connected to classroom science for easy integration
- Free of charge for K–12 schools, homeschool groups, and youth organizations (YMCA, Boys & Girls Club, etc.)
Explore our educational programs for your students or youth group, or reach out to Stacey to schedule a workshop: Stacey Selcho, 509-535-7274 ext. 217 | stacey-selcho@sccd.org
K-12 Lessons & Programs
Explore SCD Classroom Programs
Browse our hands-on lessons and programs by clicking the subheadings below. Each description includes grade-level recommendations. For custom presentations, contact Education Coordinator Stacey Selcho.
Trout in the Classroom
- Support for teachers to set up tanks, deliver trout, and coordinate release days
- One tank can serve multiple classrooms
Wheat Week Lessons (Grades 4–5)
- Five-day series exploring wheat “from the ground up”
EnviroKids Club (Grades K–6)
- Learn about local natural resources through newsletters, events, and Clubhouse activities
- Open to individuals, Girl Scout troops, and other youth groups
- Groups may also request classroom visits
EnviroKids Partners: Spokane Regional Clean Air Agency, National Weather Service, Spokane Aquifer Joint Board, Spokane County Environmental Services, Spokane Solid Waste & City of Spokane Solid Waste, City of Spokane Water Department, Spokane Conservation District
Here are some quick links to fun and educational activities you can do at home!
Classroom Lessons
That’s TREE-mendous!
Students will learn why trees are some of the most amazing forms of life on the planet. They will use tree cookies to identify the structure of a tree inside out and the adaptations trees use to sustain their lives. Using dichotomous keys, students will experience how scientists identify trees and learn the major differences between trees.
Grades 3-6
Watersheds and Wetlands
Using a three-dimensional model called Enviroscape, students will learn what a watershed is, what watershed they live in, and how we affect our watershed. By making observations with the model students can see how pollution affects our watersheds, the difference between non-point and point source pollution, and why wetlands are so important. Watersheds are complex ecosystems that can be difficult to grasp, but this model brings watersheds to life.
Grades 3-8
Water – From the Ground Up
Students will learn about where their water comes from and where it fits into the water cycle. We will explore water on our planet and how we can conserve the water that we use. We also will cover any local issues that we may be facing with our water. Students will make models of their aquifer and the water cycle.
Incredible Journey
Students will review the water cycle and participate in an adapted Project WET activity that takes them around the world as water droplets. Students diagram and reflect on how they moved from place to place.
Grades 2-6
In Deep Water
While the Earth is covered with water there is a very small amount that we are able to use. Students explore how much fresh water and salt water is on the planet and how much we use in the United States as compared with other countries. Students will explore water scarcity across the planet and construct their own water filters. Water is a universal solvent and in this capacity, it can be very difficult to separate water from the substance (or solute) that is polluting it. Students can experiment with homogeneous and heterogeneous polluted water mixtures. This is a two-part class.
Grades 5-8
How Does Our Water Flow?
Students will learn about their aquifer and how groundwater is part of the water cycle. We will discuss the importance of soil as a filter and why it plays such a large role in cleaning our drinking water. Students will be able to observe how groundwater moves through a large groundwater flow model and how pollution can affect our groundwater.
Grades 5-8
Have Seeds Will Travel
Students will learn about the importance of biodiversity and adaptations. We will explore the different adaptations that plants have for seed dispersal and students will engineer their own seed dispersal adaptations.
Grades 5-8
It’s a Soilabration!
Students will learn more about soil formation, soil biology, and the important role that soil has in our watersheds. We will explore weathering and erosion and the part they play in soil formation. They will also see how soil interacts with water and some of the physical properties of soil. Grades K-8
A Rock Can Be…
Students will explore different rocks, minerals, and fossils and how we use them in everyday life. We will discuss being a geologist and other careers that use rocks. Students will get some hands-on experience with rock investigations and get a take-home rock activity.
Grades K-2
Outdoor Education
Macro-Invertebrate Investigation
Students will collect their own macros (if the area allows for this), identify macros using a dichotomous key, and then classify these macros using a bio-assessment sheet. Students will conduct their own bio-assessment of the water quality otherwise known as using biological organisms to help determine water quality.
Grades 4-12
*These lessons are fairly flexible – SCD staff can adjust them to suit your needs. Listed are the lessons and materials that are already designed; however, if there is something else that you are interested in doing on your field trip contact Stacey Selcho stacey-selcho@sccd.org to see what we might be able to develop.
Soils Investigation
Students will use a number of different soil tools and learn all about “Shovelomics” to determine soil properties and quality.
Grades 3-12
*These lessons are fairly flexible – SCD staff can adjust them to suit your needs. Listed are the lessons and materials that are already designed; however, if there is something else that you are interested in doing on your field trip contact Stacey Selcho stacey-selcho@sccd.org to see what we might be able to develop.
Trees
Students will use dichotomous keys to identify different trees and determine the characteristics that make them different. Students will undergo a fun exploration of trees through an activity called “Meet a Tree”. The activities I have for trees are various and will depend on the time of year and the age of students.
Grades K-8
*These lessons are fairly flexible – SCD staff can adjust them to suit your needs. Listed are the lessons and materials that are already designed; however, if there is something else that you are interested in doing on your field trip contact Stacey Selcho stacey-selcho@sccd.org to see what we might be able to develop.
Gyotaku Fish Printing Plastic Fish Replicas
Gyotaku is the Japanese art of printing fish onto paper. A popular alternative to using real fish for this art form is using a fish replica. Popular with our Trout in the Classroom schools for creating Rainbow Trout t-shirts of printing on paper, these are a fun way to learn about different art forms and celebrate our local wildlife.
This set includes: 10 silicon fish prints, direction for use, and info about Gyotaku.
Enviroscape Watershed Model
Hands-on, interactive demonstration of the sources and effects of water pollution. Easily demonstrate how storm water runoff carries pollutants through the watershed to a pond, lake, river, bay, or ocean – and the best management practices to prevent this type of pollution from occurring. The overall watershed/stormwater concept is effectively communicated to all ages (children to adults)!
This kit includes model, watershed model guide and materials needed for demonstration.
Check out more information at the Enviroscape website.
GroundwaterFlow Model
The groundwater flow model is a tabletop display, approx. 2 ft long X 1 ft tall X 1.5 in wide, that is used to teach about recharge, discharge and groundwater levels as it shows the flow of water and pollutants through an aquifer.
This kit includes model, groundwater model guide, and info about the Spokane Valley Rathdrum Prairie aquifer.
Check out more information at the Kansas Association of Conservation Districts website.
School Yard Lessons
STEM Activities
It’s always a challenge to keep students engaged over the summer in learning. Here you will find 25 activities to keep students engaged. From using a cricket to determine the temperature, making a hot air balloon, and creating art. These activities will engage any learner in a simple hands-on approach. Included is a journal page to have students reflect on their learning.
Outdoor Learning Labs
Take your classroom outside! Our free Outdoor Learning Labs give educators ready-to-use kits packed with materials for hands-on, nature-based learning.
What’s Included:
Labs cover a wide range of topics, from orienteering kits and replica animal skulls to a macroinvertebrate investigation kit—and more. Some labs are sourced from outdoor education providers, while others were designed by our staff.
Who Can Use Them? Any educator working with youth:
- Classroom teachers
- Homeschool groups and co-ops
- Youth organizations (Scouts, non-profits, parks programs)
Where Can They Be Used?
- Right in your schoolyard
- Local parks and natural areas
👉 Reserve a Lab:
Stacey Selcho, Education Coordinator
📧 stacey-selcho@spokanecd.org | 📞 509-535-7274 ext. 217
Educational Contact
Stacey Selcho
Education Coordinator
509-535-7274, ext. 217
Stacey-Selcho@SpokaneCD.org
