Youth Education Program Offerings
The Cumberland River Compact’s Education and Engagement division provides experiential environmental education programs for students across Middle Tennessee. These place-based programs help young people cultivate a connection to nature and develop skills to be effective stewards of their watershed.
The Compact’s education programs are aligned to Tennessee State Science standards and our educators are trained in the best practices for environmental education. We were recognized as the 2021 Tennessee Environmental Education Organization of the Year and are a preferred partner for school districts across Middle Tennessee. Since 2018, over 35,000 students in 11 counties have engaged with the Compact’s environmental education programs.
The Compact education team brings these programs directly to your school and to your classroom. Programs are designed for a classroom group of up to 30 students at a time during a standard 45-minute class period, and extensions are possible for longer classes.
Hear What Teachers Are Saying:
“My students talk about the visit long after it has happened. They enjoyed viewing the specimens and learning more about the Cumberland River. They also really enjoyed learning a different way to determine the pollution in a water system – using the population or lack of particular insects.”
“This was an engaging and informative experience for our students. It incorporated science, social studies and math and in an authentic situation. The aquatic organisms from a local creek was amazing. The games were helpful in reviewing the information with the students.”
“The Compact educators were very knowledgeable in content and helpful in answering all the students’ questions. We appreciated their willingness to share their knowledge and spark interest in aquatic biology.”
PROGRAMS OFFERED
Exploring What Makes a Healthy Stream
Preferred grades: 6-12
In this program, students will explore the question: What makes a stream healthy? To answer that question, they will collect visual and biological evidence to predict stream health. Students will observe live macroinvertebrates from a stream and explore how the environment affects which organisms can live in it. High school classes can also collect water quality data through chemical sampling.
Content Connections: Ecosystems, Biodiversity, Water Quality, Land Use
Creek Critters
Preferred grades: 3-6.
Creek Critters shows your students what a healthy aquatic ecosystem looks like by bringing the creek to the classroom! Students explore biodiversity, food webs, adaptations, science careers, and more through interactive activities. Cumberland River Compact educators bring preserved samples to the classroom for students to see up close.
Content Connections: Ecosystems, Biodiversity, Adaptation
Little Lives, Big Creek
Preferred grades: K-2
In this program, students will discover different animals that live in our creeks through hands-on activities. They will explore how organisms grow and change over time, how they use adaptations to survive, and how human actions can impact local streams. This program is perfect for the youngest creek explorers!
Content Connections: Ecosystems, Biodiversity, Adaptation
Pollution in our Water
Preferred grades: 3-12
Pollution in Our Water lets students simulate how pollutants enter our waterways using an interactive watershed model. Students will learn about how human activities on land can lead to pollution and flooding in their local streams and creeks. Compact educators can also facilitate deeper water quality exploration using the EPA’s online How’s My Waterway tool.
Content Connections: Human Impacts, Erosion, Water Quality
Stormwater at Your School
Preferred grades: 6-12
The Stormwater at Your School program allows students to understand how water travels through their community. Students will explore connections between the natural and built environments on their school campus through a guided stormwater audit mapping activity. This program takes students outside to see stormwater impacts and solutions at their school.
Content Connections: Human Impact, Designing Solutions, Land Use
Land Use and Water Quality Investigation
Preferred grades: High School
When rain falls on land, it eventually flows downhill into a stream or river. As it flows over the land, it collects litter, oil, chemicals, and more. The way the land is used in our watershed can have a big impact on water quality. In this activity, students learn about the water quality of local streams and gather data on land use in the watershed with the EPA’s online How’s My Waterway tool. Students will compare and contrast streams across the region with different land uses, and discuss implications for the health of the watershed.
Content Connections: Water Pollution, Land Use
Building a Healthy Tree Canopy
Preferred grades: High School
Students will begin by discussing the importance of urban tree canopy. They will then utilize maps to explore Nashville’s urban tree canopy and its connection to water quality, heat, and public health. Students will analyze local data and make suggestions on new sites for tree planting.
Content Connections: Urban Planning, Climate Change, Air Pollution
General Cumberland River Watershed Presentation
Preferred grades: 4-12
Compact staff provide a general presentation on the Cumberland River, aquatic ecosystems, water quality, and solutions to common water pollution issues.
Content Connections: Careers, Ecosystems, Designing Solutions
Program Fees
The Cumberland River Compact is committed to ensuring that cost is not a barrier to participation. Thanks to grants and community support, many schools qualify for free or discounted programming. When you request a program, our staff will review your eligibility for any available funding. If grant-funded spots are unavailable, standard program fees may apply.
The pricing below applies to programs held in Davidson, Williamson, Rutherford, Sumner, Wilson, and Robertson counties. Programs outside this service area may incur an additional travel fee.
Free Programming
The following schools and programs are currently eligible for free programming:
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- Metro Nashville Public Schools (limited availability)
- Rutherford County Schools (limited availability)
- Sumner County Schools (limited availability)
- Environmental Science courses in service area
Standard Program Fees
For all other schools and organizations:
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- Half-day program (up to 2 class sessions): $300
- Full-day (3 or more class sessions): $75 for each additional session
Cancellation and Refund Policy
If a program or session needs to be canceled or rescheduled, please let us know as soon as possible. Cancellations must be made in writing (email accepted) at least seven (7) days prior to the date(s) booked to avoid any fees. Cancellation requests made within six (6) days or fewer may be subject to a $50 administrative fee.
Cancellations as a result of weather conditions that close or delay your school system will not be charged an administrative fee, and every effort will be made to reschedule.
If a program or session needs to be canceled after payment has already been received, your payment will be used as a credit for a future program.
Meet the Team
Request a Youth Education Program
Reach out to info@cumberlandrivercompact.org if you have questions or would like to learn more.