Hanford Mills Watershed Education Programs (PreK-8th Grade)

Hanford Mills Museum educators offer programming to schools in Delaware, Greene, and Schoharie counties.

Here are some hands-on lessons to use at home. Watch the videos and view (or print) the companion activity guides. All are welcome to use these resources to learn more about the importance of watersheds.

A watershed is an area of land where water collects and drains into a river, lake or reservoir. Much of Delaware, Greene and Schoharie counties are part of the West-of-Hudson Watershed network. More lessons and topics will be added in the near future. Have feedback? Let us know! 

Many thanks to the Catskill Watershed Corporation for funding this initiative.

 Forests & Water Health

• Forests and trees are a crucial part of keeping watersheds healthy and sustainable. Students will learn about how our activities impact the watershed, what we can do to be more aware of our actions, and build their own tree filter.
  Recommended for Grades 4-8.
  Watch Video
  View/Print Activity Guide:   HMM Forests and Water Health Activity Guide 

Pollution and the Watershed

• Water moves on and around the Earth in different forms. It can pick up and carry pollution as it goes. Students learn about the effects that pollution has on the water cycle by polluting and then attempting to clean up simulated lakes.
  Recommended for Grades 2-5.
  Watch Video
  View/Print  HMM Pollution Activity Guide 

 Sharing Water

• How do people use water, and what are some ways we can all work together to share this precious resource? Students will explore how water in their community, region, and state is a shared resource.
  Recommended for Grades PreK-3.
  Watch Video
  View/Print  HMM Sharing Water Activity Guide

 Water is a Limited Resource

• How much water is on Earth and what is available to use? Students will examine how they use water every day and compare how much water is used by houses, schools, farms, and factories. There is only so much to go around… how do we make it last?
  Recommended for Grades 4-5.
  Watch Video
  View/Print  HMM Water is a Limited Resource Activity Guide

Water Science

• How many drops of water fit on the surface of a penny? Can water move by itself? Through a series of fun, simple experiments, students will explore some of the many interesting properties of water.
  Recommended for Grades PreK-1.
  Watch Video
  View/Print  HMM Water Science Activity Guide

Water, Water, Everywhere? The Importance of Watersheds 

• What is a watershed? Why is it important? Why is the water in Upstate New York so clean? In this activity, students will explore watersheds and how landforms can influence the way water moves.
  Recommended for Grades 2-3.
  Watch Video
  View/Print  HMM Water Water Everywhere Activity Guide  

 Watershed Lessons by Grade Level

Pre-K

• Sharing Water
• Water Science 

Kindergarten

• Sharing Water
• Water Science 

First Grade

• Sharing Water  
• Water Science 

Second Grade    

• Pollution and the Watershed
• Sharing Water 
• Water, Water, Everywhere? The Importance of Watersheds

Third Grade 

• Pollution and the Watershed 
• Sharing Water
• Water, Water, Everywhere?  The Importance of Watersheds

Fourth Grade

• Forests & Water Health 
• Pollution and the Watershed 
• Water is a Limited Resource  

Fifth Grade

• Forests & Water Health 
• Pollution and the Watershed 
• Water is a Limited Resource

Sixth Grade

• Forests & Water Health 

Seventh Grade

• Forests & Water Health 

Eighth Grade

• Forests & Water Health