The fourth grade expedition was titled "Secrets of the Schuylkill." Students studied the history of the Schuylkill River and the effects of population and industrialization on the river. This helped students to understand how pollution creates an unstable ecosystem in the riverbank habitat. Fieldwork was completed at the Fairmount Water Works and The Schuylkill Environmental Center. At the Fairmount Water Works, students toured the historic facility that once pumped water to the early residents of Philadelphia. At The Schuylkill Environmental Center, students gained hands-on experience testing the water quality of the Schuylkill River. For the final expedition product, an informational brochure was created. The history of the river was highlighted and an action plan was created to help residents of Philadelphia keep the Schuylkill River and its surrounding ecosystem clean.

Guiding Questions for "Secrets of the Schuykill"

• What actions can you take to protect the Schuylkill River?
• How do we affect the environment/ecosystems around us?