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Earthworks
Earth System Science for Secondary Teachers
Comparison of Ecologically Disturbed Areas to Undisturbed Areas
Who: Me and approximately 65 7th grade students
What: Comparing a disturbed site with an undisturbed site - focusing on species diversity of plants and animals
Why: It is important for students to learn that when the land is disturbed, things will grow/come back - but it might not be the same things.
Where: At any disturbed site - construction, mining, avalanche - depending on the time and resources.
When: Early fall or late spring - need to make sure things are growing
Potential Barriers/Constraints: time, division of tasks among students, transportation to and from site.
Methods:
- Divide class into groups of 4-6 students
- Assign 2 groups to disturbed site and 2 groups to control site
- Have them gather data on data sheets
- Groups then trade data sheets and draw at least 3 different conclusions
Connections: I think it would be great to have a site with water and do some of the water analyses on the water too. If you have outcrops, you could work on a geological map.
Extensions: Research other areas that have been disturbed in similar means - how are they doing now? Has it benefited the land? Should people be responsible for the cleaning up or regrowth? Should we let natural fires burn?
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