K-12 Educational Resources

Engage your students in citizen science!

Wisconsin’s Citizen Lake Monitoring Network (CLMN) has opportunities for volunteers to monitor for water clarity, aquatic invasive species (AIS), and more!

Learn about CLMN
logo for Citizen Lake Monitoring Network

Resources from the Clean Boats, Clean Waters (CBCW) program will help you get students engaged in AIS prevention. If you have a lake nearby with public access, there are most likely opportunities for student groups to get involved.

Learn about CBCW
A circular blue logo featuring a small boat on waves in the center, with the words “Clean Boats Clean Waters” arranged around the border.

Use Real Data from your Lake!

Citizen scientists have been collecting water clarity and chemistry data on many Wisconsin lakes since 1986. Lakes Biologists from the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) have been collecting data from these lakes even longer. These data are compiled into annual reports for each lake. Those reports are available in the Water Explorer Tool (WEx). Access these reports by following these steps below:

  1. Go to the DNR Lakes Pages at Lakes | Wisconsin DNR
  2. Click on the Lake Water Quality Data button.​
  3. Choose the county of the lake that you are interested in.
  4. Click on Details next to the lake that you are interested in.
  5. Click the Open the Water Explorer (WEx) button. 

For help using the Water Explorer tool, watch this quick video on the features of this tool and how to download a PDF data report. You can view CLMN data and compare a selected year to previous years of data to better understand trends in water quality

 

 

Two adult loons with black-and-white patterned feathers and red eyes swim on a rippling lake, facing a small brown chick between them. One adult appears to be offering food to the chick, their beaks close together as the chick looks up, while sunlight reflects off the water’s surface.

Loon Activity

As a resource for teachers who want to use real data from area lakes to teach students about limnology and life science in grades 5-12, here is a great loon activity.

If you have an idea for an activity, please send suggestions or ideas to lakes@uwsp.edu.

Why Do Loons Occupy Certain Wisconsin Lakes? Overview, Objectives, Standard Connections, Materials and Procedure (PDF)

Loon Activity worksheet (download Excel document)

Loons and Clear Water Graph (PDF)

PBS video story, “Research reveals Wisconsin loons are disappearing” (Aug. 4, 2025)

Extension Lakes Bookstore Favorites for K-12

For your security, you will be asked to create an account with a login and password the first time you make a purchase*. Any subsequent product purchases or workshop/convention registrations will use that same login/password (see the link to login at the top right of the bookstore page).

*SHIPPING: If your shipping address is different than your billing address, please EMAIL (lakes@uwsp.edu) or CALL (715-346-2116) us so we know where you would like your publications sent. If you are having publications sent outside the contiguous United States, please contact us as there may be additional shipping fees. Thank you in advance.

My Lakeshore Field Journal

This is a great way to encourage students to record their lake observations (available as a case of 140 copies for only $30).

 

View the Journal

Bluegills

Part of the Freshwater Fish Series

Age 8+

This book will help you better understand bluegills and give you some ideas on where and how to find these beautiful sunfish.

View the paperback

Iowa Darter

Part of the Freshwater Fish Series

Find out how these tiny native Wisconsin fish grow from egg to adult, where they like to hang out, and what you can do to keep their waters healthy.

Age 8+

 

View the paperback

The Magic Goggles

Discover the secrets of the lake with Maggie and Tate.

Age 5+

View the hardcover

Fish Hotel

Learn with Tessa and Hugo about how trees are helpful to underwater animals after they fall in the water.

Age 5+

View the hardcover

Free Publications

Lake Tides & Lake Ripples

Stay up-to-date on lake events and research, learn fun facts, and get inspired with ways to protect and preserve our shared waters. Sign up for our free newsletters! 

Lake Tides (arrives 3x/year) – hard copy or email

Lake Ripples (arrives bi-monthly) – via email/online only

This page also allows you to search through decades of Lake Tides articles for topics and creature features that you can bring into your classroom.

 
 

Aquatic Invasive Species (AIS) Publications

Many AIS-specific resource materials (such as brochures, stickers, etc.) are available for free. View our searchable AIS Publication Catalog to see what is available, view an image or printable document, and order free copies for your classroom.

 

Digital Resources

Extension Lakes YouTube Channel

View hundreds of videos and curated playlists designed to inspire and inform.

Convention Collection

Find presentations, including PDFs of slideshows and video recordings, from the annual Wisconsin Lakes Convention, a gathering of lake stewards and professionals. Search by category (examples include citizen science, climate change, and water quality) or by keyword. This is a great resource for students who are doing their own research or for educators who want to grow their own knowledge. Please be patient as we update our collection to a permanent archive (last 2 years of presentations are available now).

Extension Lakes
College of Natural Resouces, University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point
800 Reserve St. Stevens Point, WI 54481-3897
Phone: 715-346-2116
Direct comments to lakes@uwsp.edu