Teaching Pond Ecology

Ponds provide an excellent resource for both quick and extended learning activities. Ponds are not just for primary science – these activities are aimed at secondary students, but many are easily adapted for use with younger and older students.

Acid Attacks: What effect does the pH of a pond have on the organisms that are found living there? A simple comparison of pH within and across ponds and how life differs depending on this.

Blooming Algae: What causes the “bloom” of algae in ponds? A lab-based activity that measures the effect of increased nutrients on algal growth.

Designing Keys: Why are keys so important? Students can develop and use a pond-based key using their own observations of the organisms they find.

Getting Oxygen: All organisms demonstrate adaptations to their environment. How do aquatic invertebrates get oxygen? This simple game of bingo helps students to identify a few key organisms and link their physiology knowledge to the process of gas exchange.

Photosynthesis: How well do plants photosynthesise in aquatic environments? This activity compares three species and their photosynthetic activity.

Water Biochemistry: Why is water so essential for life? This lesson focuses on the chemistry of water as it applies to ponds and its inhabitants, and is more suited to A-level biologists and beyond.