Are you an educator who wants to bring freshwater science into your classroom?
We’re here to help! The Freshwater Collaborative Outreach Toolkit supports meaningful partnerships between university scientists and K-12 teachers across Wisconsin. Developed using input from both teachers and university scientists, the toolkit reflects real classroom needs and real outreach experiences.
It’s all about connection! Use our toolkit to
- connect students to real science in fun interactive ways
- link K-12 classrooms with university scientists and students
- help young people see how freshwater connects to their lives
- inspire career paths in water
The Outreach Toolkit includes curated resources, communication tips, and planning tools that support freshwater outreach. Whether you are planning a one-time classroom visit or building a longer-term partnership, this toolkit is designed to be practical and support your work.
- K-12 Outreach Activity Resources
- Campus Visit Planning Checklist
- UW Outreach Directory
- Finding Water Professionals in Your Community
Ways to Engage
Choose what works best for your classroom or outreach efforts. The options below help you meet different goals and levels of commitment. You can start with a single, introductory experiences and progress to deeper, more sustained partnerships. Some partnerships focus on one type of engagement, while others move between multiple approaches over time.
Classroom Visits by UW Experts
Classroom visits bring scientists directly into K-12 settings, either in person or virtually. These can include short presentations, demonstrations, or interactive lessons that connect freshwater science to what students are learning. Classroom visits are a good starting point for building connections and introducing students to real-world science and careers.
On-Campus Student Experiences
On-campus experiences give students the opportunity to visit a university setting, such as a lab, research vessel or field site. These visits allow students to see science in action, interact with scientists and college students, and explore possible career pathways.
School-Based Programs Offered by UW Experts
School-based programs are more structured experiences led by university partners that take place at a K-12 school. These may include multi-day lessons, workshops or themed water units that build on classroom learning over time. This type of engagement allows for more depth and continuity than a single visit.
Research Partnerships Between Scientists and Classrooms
Classroom and scientist partnerships are longer-term collaborations where students engage more directly with scientific work. This could include collecting data, contributing to ongoing research or developing new solutions to real-world problems. These partnerships help students experience the scientific process in practice and build a stronger connection to the work scientists do.