In grades K–2, students engage in hands-on, place-based investigations that build environmental literacy by exploring the natural world in their schoolyards, classrooms, and local communities. Kindergarten students examine the needs of living things and how humans use natural resources, while also identifying and addressing litter problems in their environment. First-graders investigate how the natural world inspires human design and explore diverse cultural perspectives on nature. In second grade, students study local habitats and biodiversity, compare ecosystems through field experiences, and design improvements to support schoolyard wildlife. 

In grades 3-5, students participate in a variety of investigations that deepen their understanding of environmental systems, human impacts, and sustainability. In grade 3, students monitor local weather patterns to observe seasonal changes over time. Fourth-graders investigate erosion and noise pollution, conduct energy audits, and explore the ways people impact their environment, including how those impacts can be addressed. In grade 5, students engage in watershed investigations and study Earth’s systems to understand the interconnectedness of natural and human systems. Across these investigations, students collect and analyze data, model environmental systems, propose solutions to local issues, and engage in civic action.

Middle school students engage in in-depth investigations that explore the complex relationships between natural systems and human activity. They investigate water quality and treatment by comparing local practices with global challenges, and model how watersheds and wetlands function as interconnected systems. Students collect and interpret environmental data related to air quality, heat islands, humidity, and microplastics, and apply their findings to local environmental issues.  Throughout these experiences, students gain the skills to critically analyze environmental issues, communicate findings, and propose evidence-based actions that support both human and ecological well-being.

High school students engage in advanced, standards-aligned investigations that emphasize systems thinking, data analysis, and civic engagement. These experiences focus on the intersections of human activity, environmental systems, and sustainability. Through Meaningful Watershed Educational Experiences (MWEEs), students monitor water quality, study watershed dynamics, and model solutions to local environmental issues. Students collect and interpret environmental data, evaluate historical and present-day case studies, and design or implement solutions that promote sustainability, stewardship, and equity in their communities. These investigations build research, communication, and problem-solving skills essential for environmental literacy and civic responsibility.