Youth Education
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Child Development and Community Engagement
Hands-on environmental education and place-based learning are integral to child development and community engagement. Our goal is to provide Washington County educators, youth, and families with resources to increase connection with their surrounding environment. We promote partner-developed curriculum, activities, and videos that increase awareness for our district priorities.
Curriculum Kits for Loan to Educators
In collaboration with Ecology in Classrooms & Outdoors (ECO) and The Wetlands Conservancy, we have created six NGSS aligned curriculum kits for Washington County educators to borrow at no cost.
- These place-based units focus on the plants, animals, and ecosystems of the Pacific Northwest.
- Curriculum kits are classroom-ready and built for use by instructors of all kinds.
- Units come complete with everything needed to present the module and assess student learning.
- Kits can be borrowed for up to 2 weeks, but longer if needed. They are available for pick-up from our Hillsboro office.
- With advance notice, we may be able to arrange a delivery or pick-up.
- We have also provided downloadable PDFs of kit lessons and activities if you choose to not borrow a full kit with materials.
Oregon Agriculture in the Classroom
We sponsor an Agriculture in the Classroom coordinator dedicated to working with Washington County teachers and students. Casey Blake is our Washington County representative. This program provides classroom visits, school garden consultations, volunteer opportunities, and a lending library located at the Tualatin SWCD office!
Educational Activities
Whether you’re looking for activities for your classroom or fun for the whole family, we’ve got you covered! Click on the links below to explore youth activities and curriculum from our partner organizations.
Clean and Abundant Water
- Learn how water flows across a landscape by making a watershed model.
(Grades 3-5). Clean Water Services & STEM Oregon.
View Google Doc - Explore how different natural materials help filter pollutants out of water by building a water filter with household materials.
(Grades 5-6). Clean Water Services & STEM Oregon.
View Google Doc - Learn about the basics of water and test your knowledge with the Water and You activity book.
Regional Water Providers Consortium.
View & Download - Learn about the basics of water and test your knowledge with the What Do You Know About H2O activity book.
Regional Water Providers Consortium.
View & Download
Healthy Soil
- Explore weatherization through short experiments to demonstrate how rocks and minerals are broken down into soil.
(Grades 4-12). Oregon Agriculture in the Classroom.
Learn More - Observe how soil acts as a natural filter and helps remove contaminants from water.
(Grades 3-12). Oregon Agriculture in the Classroom.
View & Download - Compare the amount of organic matter present in different samples of soil with this at-home chemistry experiment.
Garden Earth Naturalist Club.
View & Download
Food & Farms
- Explore Oregon agriculture through a scavenger hunt using a “Grown in Oregon” map.
(Grades 1- 5). Oregon Agriculture in the Classroom.
View & Download - Learn how a seed germinates and develops into a plant by observing a Turf Buddy.
(Grades K-3). Oregon Agriculture in the Classroom.
View & Download - Practice growing your own vegetables at home with this seedy experiment.
EcoSchools USA | National Wildlife Federation.
View & Download
Thriving Habitat
- Grow a pollinator garden and record your observations about the plants and pollinators.
National Wildlife Federation
View & Download - Create a chatterbox to quiz yourself and friends on salmon lifecycle trivia.
National Wildlife Federation
View & Download - Learn all about North American owls and their unique features through this fun activity guide.
National Audubon Society
View & Download - Discover native plants in your area and go on a native plant and native bird scavenger hunt.
National Audubon Society
View & Download