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Earthworks
Earth System Science for Secondary Teachers
Mary Ann Murphy and Angie Albrecht (Earthworks 1999)
armur@pawneenet.com
Water Quality Study: South Platte/Platte River (East of Greeley, CO/Grand Island, NE)
What: A long term study (school year) on the chemical changes that occur in the Platte River in Colorado and Nebraska.
Why:
Students will be able to participate in a long term research project to understand that science is a PROCESS and not a product. It will be an ongoing study throughout the year.
Students will learn research skills, measuring skills and the scientific method Students will see long-term effects and also that the river is continuous.
What:
- Colorado does to affect the water also affects people in Nebraska.
- See how the river changes from one area to another
- Students will think more "globally" ó it's not just their river
Who:
- Angie: Chem 1-2 students (5 classes)
- Mary Ann: integrated science (5 classes)
- These students will communicate with one another using e-mail to exchange data.
- When will we do it?
- 2 times/semester (2nd week Sept., 1st week Dec., mid-Feb.., mid-May)
Resources needed:
- Chem supplies
- Lab procedures
- CBLs (borrow from nearby university?)
- Internet access (e-mail)
How:
- Nurture student involvement through:
- Extra credit for field work
- Student research (what is important to them)
- E-mailing data/comparing water quality between areas
Fit into curriculum: Water unit Diff. chem applications
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