µÚÒ»³Ô¹Ï

1. Planning a Field Trip

2. Water Chemistry Monitoring

3. Habitat Assessment

4. Macroinvertebrate Collection

5. Upland Ecology Studies

6. Active Games

7. Reflection & Observation Activities

8. Stewardship & Restoration Activities

There is no such thing as a "typical" field trip. Each varies in duration, content, and style. The only constant is our desire to see your educational (or curricular) goals met. All field trip activities are hands-on, at (and - quite often - in) the river, and strive to increase scientific and historical knowledge of the river, improve self-esteem and the students' perceived relationship with nature, and foster an increased ability to take action on behalf of the environment.

Planning a Field Trip

For more help in thinking about how to organize your students' activities at the river, check out . Also, please review our before scheduling a trip to the Chicago River.

To book a field trip with µÚÒ»³Ô¹Ï, read the information on field trip logistics. You will need to fill out a Field Trip Needs Form and return it to our education staff.

Background Information

Chicago River Field Trip Activities

Water Chemistry Monitoring

Using test kits, students can test the waters for pH, phosphates, nitrates, dissolved oxygen, biological oxygen demand, change in temperature, turbidity, total dissolved solids and fecal coliform. Non-toxic GREEN kits are for 5th-8th grade, while Hach titration kits are for high school students.

- for use with GREEN kits - for Younger Students

- for use with Hach kits - for Older Students

Other Chemistry resources:

• pH  and
• Phosphate  and
• Nitrate  and
• Dissolved Oxygen  and
• Biological Oxygen Demand
• Turbidity and
• Total Dissolved Solids and
• Fecal Coliform/E. coli  and
• test instructions (GREEN)
•  - Hoosier Riverwatch
•  - Hoosier Riverwatch

Habitat Assessment

Students can take a close look at the riparian habitat surrounding the river. Students can also measure the volumetric flow of the river.

Other Habitat resources:

•  - Hoosier Riverwatch

Macroinvertebrate Collection

Older students can collect and identify macroinvertebrates (small, backboneless organisms living in the water) to determine the quality of the river. Younger students can simply observe, characterize and draw the animals they find. If you don’t have your own equipment and are a member of the CRSN, you can borrow our equipment for your field trip.

Other Macroinvertebrate resources:

•  - Loyola Univ.-Field Museum
•  - Hoosier Riverwatch
•  - U. of Wisconsin Extension
•  - Arkansas DEQ
•  - WV DEP
•  - Project WET
•  (yeah, the game)
•  - Print and cut out! Great for practicing your macro ID prior to a field trip, or to simulate a water quality score using the student worksheets above.

Cranefly Larvae* (left), Mayfly Larva* (center), Rusty Crayfish* (right).

Crayfish with eggs† (left), Rusty Crayfish (center), Crayfish* (right).

Cranefly Larva* (left), Damselfly Larva (center), Fingernail Clams* (right).
†Photo by Victor Harbison.
*Photos by Brittany Harthan.

Upland Ecology Studies

Students can investigate the ecology of the riverbanks and land surrounding the river through transects, nature walks and observation activities.

 (includes poison ivy and a few other common non-trees)

What are some of the plants found in the Chicago River watershed?

Active Games

Students often get very excited on field trips, an educational active game can provide them with a constructive outlet for their extra energy.

Sharing Nature with Children and Sharing Nature with Children 2 by Joseph Cornell both have a variety of fun and adaptable active games. Contact us to borrow these books from Friends. You can also get several example activities in books from the .

Project WET has a neat active game focused on macros called . Younger kids will also enjoy playing .

Reflection & Observation Activities

Students can hone their observation skills as they take guided nature walks, scavenger hunts and make detailed drawings. Take the time to slow down and let students soak it all in and understand what this visit to nature means to them.

Sharing Nature with Children and Sharing Nature with Children 2 by Joseph Cornell both have a variety of fun and adaptable observation activities.

Stewardship & Restoration Activities

Students can help improve the natural area they visit by doing stewardship activities that can include litter pick up, invasive species removal, native plantings and native seed collection. Along the way, your students can earn service-learning hours that can be used for graduation requirements.

Litter Free Chiago River

Litter Free Chicago River General Info

Link to Litter Free Curriculum for the classroom

 for data collection - turn in to Friends after your trip

Invasive Species Fact Sheets

Notes on Stewardship and Restoration Activities: Students, K to 8th, can do litter pick up/removal. Students in 4th to 6th grade are encouraged to enroll in a  program. High School students (9th to 12th grade) can schedule litter pick up, invasive species removal, native plantings and native seed collection, depending on the needs and availability of the site steward. Please allow more time to schedule these types of restoration activities. If you are interested only in restoration activities, please contact the Forest Preserves of Cook County at (773) 631-1790 x10.

A field trip to the Chicago River can be a transformative experience.

“It was awesome to have a day in the "field" doing science with my students!”

Katherine Drommerhausen, Lincoln Park High School

“I had so much fun on this field trip.  I love going into the water to catch the crayfish, going hiking and reading by the tree.  But my favorite was crayfish hunting even though I didn’t catch a crayfish.  At the end of the field trip I sprained my elbow doing a cartwheel.  I hope I get to go on this field trip again.  It was so much fun!”

3rd grader, Audubon Elementary