Step 2: Test Your Water
Now it’s time for students to become community scientists. Testing a local waterway helps students connect science to place — and contributes real data to a global movement.
What Students Will Do
- Collect water samples from a local site
- Test key water quality indicators
- Record and interpret their results
- Discuss what the data reveals about ecosystem health
No prior water science experience is required.
What to Test
Anyone can participate in the EarthEcho Water Challenge, testing surface water quality for key indicators like temperature, pH, dissolved oxygen, and turbidity. The global database also allows you to submit dozens of additional measurements, including macroinvertebrate counts, giving students flexibility to explore water health in their own way, using any equipment they have access to.
Want to dive deeper into macroinvertebrates? Check out MacroBlitz, a great resource for identifying and counting aquatic insects and other critters in your local waterway.
Getting Started: Use the Water Challenge Guide
EarthEcho Water Testing Kit Instructions
Video Tutorials
Step-by-step videos show students how to test water, measure accurately, and make sense of their results using EarthEcho’s Water Challenge test kits.
Safety & Preparation
Before heading outdoors:
- Review safety procedures
- Identify testing boundaries
- Confirm adult supervision
- Check weather and site conditions
After Testing
Once students have collected and recorded their data:
➡ Move to Step 3: Submit & Analyze Your Data
