The GetWET Observatory is one of two outdoor hands-on groundwater education facilities in the Rocky Mountain Region. Located on CSU property along Spring Creek is a groundwater well field that allows students to study the interaction between the creek and the groundwater. Using the GetWET field backpacks, students study water quality and quantity issues and how they relate to use, conservation, and flooding. As part of this experience, the NSEOC also has a Groundwater Model STEM kit that looks at how streams and ground water interconnect that educators can do in the classroom either before or after the field experience.
Big Concepts include: 1) groundwater; 2) surface water; 3) water table; 4) dissolved oxygen; 5) electrical conductivity; 6) water transparency; 7) soils & sediment; and 8) stream velocity & discharge.
Scientific Inquiry Skills include: 1) field science; 2) data collection and analysis; and 3) use of a variety of field equipment.
GetWET Field Backpack** Tutorials
- GetWET Field Backpack Use Instructions
- GetWET Field Backpack Clean-Up & Repacking Instructions
- GetWET Water Table Mapping Backpack
- GetWET Dissolved Oxygen Backpack
- GetWET Electrical Conductivity Backpack
- GetWET Water Transparency Backpack
- GetWET Soils & Sediments Backpack
- GetWET Stream Velocity & Discharge Backpack
GetWET Field Experience Resources
- GetWET Intro & Wrap-Up Outline
- GetWET Observatory Site Map
- GetWET Field Site Geology Diagram
- GetWet Field Site Land Use Diagram
- GetWET Field Site Soil Characterization Report
GetWET Ground Water Model STEM Kit
- GetWET Ground Water Model STEM Kit Use Instructions (complete teacher guide)
- GetWET Ground Water Model STEM Kit Clean-Up & Repacking Instructions
- GetWET Ground Water Model STEM Kit Material List
- Science Notebook Template (for use in lieu of Science Notebooks)
- Science Notebook Template (Spanish version)
- Science Notebook Evaluation Rubric (coming soon)
Other Useful Resources
- Acrylic Groundwater Model Instructions
- Water and the Environment (published by American Geological Institute)
- Sustaining Our Soils & Society (published by American Geological Institute)
- USGS Water Science School
- Northern Colorado Water Conservancy District
- EPA Water Science
- “GetWET Observatory Water Education Facility Turns High School Students into Field Scientists” (article in Innovationews)
Borrowing GetWET Groundwater Model STEM Kits
There is no charge to educators who wish to borrow any of our STEM kits. Send the appropriate application form via email to Laura Schoenfeld (laura.schoenfeld@colostate.edu) or fax (970-491-2005). We appreciate applications to be sent 2 weeks in advance to the desired use date.
- Local Pick-Up Loan Application Form – for educators in the immediate area of Fort Collins (i.e.: Greeley, Loveland, Ault, Windsor, Johnstown, etc.)
- Educator Feedback Survey – must be completed after returning kits to the NSEOC and before another kit can be requested
**The GetWET backpacks can only be borrowed by educators in Northern Colorado who have been trained on how to use them by NSEOC staff.