Our Tennessee streams and rivers are the lifeblood of our community. The Little Tennessee, the French Broad, the Emory - they all flow through or near Maryville. But have you ever wondered: what is in that water?

This lesson helps kids become citizen scientists by testing water quality in three ways: clarity, flow rate, and what happens when substances mix with it.

What You Will Need

Before you go, gather: - Clear plastic cups or bottles (cut the tops off if needed) - Stopwatch or phone timer - Notebook and pen for observations - Small amounts of different substances (soil, food coloring, a drop of soap) - Safety goggles

Where to Test

Pick a safe, shallow spot along a stream or small creek. Not the main river - we want something gentle enough for kids to approach safely. Maryville has some lovely creek access points at local parks. Check with the Parks and Rec department or ask at the local library for suggested locations.

Important: Only test water that is calm and accessible. Never go near water that is moving fast or is too deep.

What To Do

Part 1: Testing Clarity

1. Fill a clear cup with stream water.
2. Hold it up to the sunlight or a bright light.
3. Try to see through it. Can you see the bottom of the cup clearly?
4. Measure clarity by how deep a small object (like a coin) you can see through the water.

Record: Write down your observations. Is the water clear, slightly cloudy, or very murky?

Part 2: Testing Flow Rate

1. Place a floating object (a small leaf or piece of wood) in the water.
2. Mark two points upstream and downstream - about 10 feet apart is good.
3. Start the timer when the object passes the first point.
4. Stop the timer when it passes the second point.
5. Calculate: If you went 10 feet in 5 seconds, that is 2 feet per second.

Think about it: Fast-moving water can carry more debris and pollutants. Slow-moving water might let sediment settle.

Part 3: Testing What Happens

1. Take three empty clear cups and fill each with 1 cup of stream water.
2. To the first cup, add a small scoop of soil or dirt. Stir gently.
3. To the second cup, add 2-3 drops of food coloring. Watch how it spreads.
4. To the third cup, add a single drop of dish soap. Watch what happens.
5. Let each cup sit for 5 minutes and observe what changes.

Record: Which cup changed the fastest? Which stayed the cloudiest? What do you notice about how different substances behave in water?

Why This Matters

When we add soil, coloring, or soap to our water, we are simulating what happens when pollution enters our streams. Soil from construction sites, chemicals from farms, and household cleaners all end up in our waterways eventually.

Healthy streams have clear water and support lots of life - fish, insects, plants, and birds. When water gets cloudy or contaminated, animals can get sick or die.

Pro Tips

• Do this test at different times of day or after different weather (rain makes water more turbid/murky)
• Compare results from different locations - upstream vs. downstream
• Bring a waterproof notebook so you can write observations near the water
• Always wash your hands after handling stream water

Extension Activity

Draw a diagram of your stream ecosystem. Include: - The water - Plants along the bank - Animals you might see (fish, birds, insects) - What could pollute this water - What protects the water from pollution

What to Record

Create a simple data sheet with: - Date and time of test - Location (park name or general area) - Water clarity rating (clear, slightly cloudy, cloudy, very murky) - Flow rate (feet per second) - Observations after adding soil, coloring, and soap

This is real scientific data! You can use it to track changes over time or compare different locations.