Welcome to River Education

1. This is my first time here...

2. I’m a teacher, and I want my students to explore the river…

3. I’ve been here before… and I'm looking for more...

4. I’m an Adopt A River teacher

The Chicago-Calumet River Schools Network (CRSN), empowers Chicago-area K-12 teachers in essential science-based curricula, inspires curiosity and stewardship in students, and fosters the next generation of environmental leaders to take action towards a healthy, climate-resilient river system for all. Friends teaches students and trains educators by using our river system as a living classroom to explore STEM topics as well as a range of subjects from history to language arts. It utilizes inquiry and place-based learning to increase empathy and understanding and immerses students in the physical and mental benefits of learning in nature.

Since its founding in 1996, CRSN has supported and inspired over 500,000 students and educators around the Chicago-Calumet River system.

Student with a crayfish. Photo by Brittany Harthan.

This is my first time here...

With some exceptions, all services and materials are FREE to K-12 schools within the Chicago-Calumet River watershed who are members of the CRSN. Member schools have been to a Friends' workshop or have had a consultation with our education staff.

To become a member school, please request a FREE consultation with our education staff.

Community groups, schools located outside the watershed, universities, for-profit organizations, and some non-profits may have associated fees for programming. We are willing to provide ongoing and individualized assistance for educators. If you can’t find what you’re looking for, please contact our education staff.

Fees for non-CRSN schools/groups:

• Field Trips: $200 for one hour (+ an additional $100 for every additional hour).
• Guest speaking and classroom presentations: $200.

I’m a teacher, and I want my students to explore the river…

I'd like...

• a good river lesson for my students.
• to have a river expert speak to my students.
• to plan a river field trip for my students.
• professional development opportunities.
• to create a river-based unit for my class.*

* Hand pick from classroom lessons, guest speakers, and field trips to create your own program. Be as creative as you want, incorporating science/STEM fairs, pre & post trip lessons, trips that compare two or more sites, and perticipation in our Student Congress.

I’ve been here before…
and I'm looking for more...

I'd like my students to...

• attend/present at the Student Congress.
• borrow river monitoring equipment.
• share our school's water quality data.
• visit Friends’ Bridgehouse Museum.
• volunteer to help the river on Chicago-Calumet River Day.
• submit art for our Annual Student Poster Contest.

We are willing to provide ongoing and individualized assistance for educators. If you can’t find what you’re looking for, always feel free to contact our education staff.

Mark Hauser welcomes a group on a field trip to the Chicago River. Photo by Brittany Harthan.

“The value of this program is immeasurable. My students learn an appreciation for nature, plus they gain confidence in how they can make a positive difference. I have never had a student regret going on the trip - in fact they talk about it for days afterwards and want to go again the next year.”

Caterina Plummer, Schurz High School