The teacher does a great job in considering how this lab series makes the science activity "real" for her students on two levels. They see that they can be a part of the scientific community, and that the work of science (chemistry, in this case) applies to their homes and neighborhoods as well as the health of themselves and their families. The use of the Google Maps comparison of their home data increases the relevance. It also shows them that science experiments are significant not just to a day in class, but to their local community.

Citizen science is a great form of active learning. I learned so much during my undergraduate degree using this form of learning, it is nice seeing it used on younger students. This project allowed students to not only see how important the lesson is in their classroom, but apply it to reality where there are jobs using this content. The students were also able to see the differences in water dependent on the source of it. 

The Citizen Science provides a great opportunity for students to get a hands on experience. A Creek Water Analysis allows the students to see how science can be used in their future endeavors.  It was really interesting to see how all of the students were involved in this project as they were analyzing the creek water and home water and comparing the two. This really gets the students involved and seeing what may or may not be affecting their water sources. As a new teacher this is a great idea for a lesson plan to get everyone involved.

  This is a real world activity, students get an opportunity to see water in their community. Seeing real world water issues , give students an active and engage student.

Bringing the students outside to examine water in a creek nearby and make comparisons with the water from their own homes was a great idea. Charting data and doing this hands on is what kids need to learn that our water is important to us and we need to take care of it as we need it to live!