The objective of this environmental studies unit is to establish a water quality monitoring project for high school students in Alberta while simultaneously providing a unit which meets the objectives of the Biology 20 program (and which may also be used in Biology 10 and 30). Through this project, students assist in the collection, identification, and tabulation of the invertebrate fauna of selected Alberta rivers. The project not only develops an awareness and critical understanding of the environment and current social problems (such as pollution), while contributing to the development of vocational knowledge and skills, but also represents an additional attempt by Alberta Environment to accumulate scientifically reliable information to determine areas of concern and whether remedial action is necessary. This teaching guide includes: information on materials and methods supplementary to information in the student manual; teacher and student preparation for field and laboratory activities; sampling procedures; a description of physical and chemical field studies; suggestions for further investigation; an outline for a student research paper; and a bibliography for teachers. (JN)