Explore Arizona's water resources with real world, hands-on learning, while using phenomenon to activate the 3-Dimensions of science instruction!

Join our Aqua STEM professional development workshops to learn how to engage your students with our ready-made science and engineering units, helping them become builders of their own knowledge. All Aqua STEM units are designed to accommodate students in 6th-12th grade levels, and to fully or partially meet multiple Arizona Science Standards.

We've recently redesigned the full Aqua STEM units and shortened them to four core lessons to support your busy schedule. Now it's easier than ever to integrate high quality instruction focused on Arizona's water systems.  All Aqua STEM units are based upon a simple systems thinking framework that will deepen student thinking and enhance comprehension. 
 

Systems Thinking and Water Resources Registration

This one-day workshop will show you how to promote student engagement using four different inquiry structures: making distinctions, seeing part-whole systems, uncovering relationships, and understanding perspectives, also known as DSRP. This instructional practice offers a process for thinking more deeply about any subject. We highly recommend taking this Systems Thinking workshop as a primer for the Water in Arizona or Riparian Field Investigation workshops.

Total of 7 hours of professional development

Water in Arizona (WAZ) Registration

Access a ready-made, real-world, and locally relevant water exploration unit that integrates systems thinking and engineering design principles. The WAZ unit activates multiple Arizona Science Standards by employing Science and Engineering Practices and Cross Cutting Concepts. In this unit, students will discover the unique aspects of Arizona's hydrologic cycle, learn about our state’s water supplies and our water resource challenges. As a culmination to the unit, they will investigate how their personal decisions impact water availability for everyone.

Total of 7 hours of professional development

SCIENCE STANDARDS CORRELATIONS

Riparian Field Investigation (RFI) Registration

Give your students an opportunity to become Field Scientists at a local riparian area. The RFI unit activates multiple Arizona Science Standards by employing Science and Engineering Practices and Cross Cutting Concepts. In this unit, students learn how biodiversity and riparian areas are interconnected. They research and develop field investigation questions for four different sciences - aquatic biology, botany, soil science and water chemistry and take on the role of a field scientist to answer their question. 

Total of 7 hours of professional development

SCIENCE STANDARDS CORRELATIONS

BENEFITS FOR ALL AQUA STEM UNITS:

• Real world and relevant curriculum ready for classroom use
• Lessons help students grapple with standards-based content
• One classroom lesson facilitated by APW staff
• Ongoing support and coaching from APW staff
• Project WET Curriculum and Activity Guide 2.0
• 7 hours of Professional development