Resources
Additional Resources
Here you can find support for the DOTS kits, resources provided by the EPA, and information about the grant that funds this project.
Lesson Plan and Curriculum Resources
Looking for ideas about how to use the DOTS program effectively with your group? Click on the Worksheet or Workbook of interest that is right for you.
Worksheets and Workbooks:
- This worksheet is for those who have the Water Test Kit
- Quick Directions to determine the overall Water Quality Score from your collected data.
- This document provides a space to record measurements, walking through what each test measures and how to calculate the health of the water. Full Directions on how to determine the overall Water Quality Score.
- This document emphasizes the team aspect of the DOTS approach. Each student has a role, and this document walks each role through how they contribute to the data set. Focus is more on team collaboration then data collection.
Water Quality Parameters Guideline
- This guide provides some meaning to the different water quality readings, the factors that affect them, and how to score them.
Monitoreo de Calidad de Agua DOTS Interpretación de Parámetros y Datos
- Esta guía proporciona algún significado a las diferentes lecturas de la calidad del agua, los factores que las afectan y cómo puntuarlas.
What do these measurements mean?
Some of the measurements that the Oakton meter and Water Testing Kit provide may not be as familiar to you or your students. Check out these resources for more information on what the reading actually means.
Conductivity, Salinity and Total Dissolved Solids: http://www.fondriest.com/environmental-measurements/parameters/water-quality/conductivity-salinity-tds/
Dissolved Oxygen: https://water.usgs.gov/edu/dissolvedoxygen.html
EPA and Water Quality Resources
High Capacity Wells Interactive Map website (https://www.americangeosciences.org/critical-issues/maps/interactive-map-water-use-wisconsin)
This interactive map, developed by the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources, shows both existing High Capacity Wells and those pending approval throughout the state. High Capacity Wells are defined as pumping 70 gallons or more per minute. Check this map out to investigate possible wells in your area and how they might affect your water quality and access.
How's My Waterway? website (https://watersgeo.epa.gov/mywaterway/)
This website allows you to learn about the conditions of your local waters, including streams and lakes. The information is gathered by state and federal water quality monitoring reports, and is presented in both technical report form and "plain English" for everyone to understand. All you need is your location!
My Environment website (https://www3.epa.gov/enviro/myenviro/)
This website brings numerous environmental monitoring reports together in an easy to use web interface. Visitors can access reports on local air quality, water quality, energy sources, health risks and climate concerns. MyMaps interface allows the visitor to interact with all of the report data integrated into one application.
The EPA also provides a whole host of Environmental Information by Location on their home website: https://www.epa.gov/
Need more DOTS kits for an event?
Extra DOTS kits are available through the Lending program. Visit the DOTS Kit Lending link for more information on available extra resources.
Upham Woods Outdoor Learning Center Resources
Upham Woods is a residential outdoor learning center, managed by the University of Wisconsin- Extension. Nestled two miles north of Wisconsin Dells, the center provides a beautiful and natural area for youth to study both the natural and cultural history of Wisconsin. For a more detailed description of the programs and facilities, visit: http://fyi.uwex.edu/uphamwoods/
Environmental Education is at the heart of Upham Woods. University of Wisconsin- Extension supports efforts to "strengthen student's experience with the outdoors," and incorporate cutting edge technology in order to "foster a student's outdoor leadership, conservation, and genuine exploration of the natural world". For more information on environmental education efforts throughout WI, check out the video below, or the UW-EXT resources on their website: http://fyi.uwex.edu/environmentaleducation/
Need Troubleshooting Help?
Upham Woods has put together a YouTube channel to assist with your DOTS kits tool troubleshooting needs. Check out the playlist of videos by following this link here.
Grant information
This project is supported by a grant from the Environmental Protection Agency (Grant No. EPA NE-00E02399), titled "Science Strikes Back: Empowering Students and Educators to Impact Urban Watersheds".
Contact Justin Hougham for more information.
Dr. R. Justin Hougham
Associate Professor, Statewide Environmental Education Specialist,
Director, Upham Woods Outdoor Learning Center
608-254-6461
Map of Partners Around Milwaukee, WI