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Earthworks
Earth System Science for Secondary Teachers
Ecological Disturbance/ Succession/Biomes (2003)
Grade level: 10-12
Content Area: Ecological Science
Time: 2-3 weeks
Standards: To meet NJ Core Curriculum Standards in Biology and Work Place Readiness Skills
Background knowledge/skills: Soil characteristics/Qualities, pH, nutrients, Chemical testing skills, data collection, vegetation ID
Materials: soil testing kits, soil core sampler, meter sticks, rope/string, field journal, flags, thermometer, plastic bags, tape measure, soil sieves, stop watch, coffee can, scale, GPS
Procedures:
- Background lessons on soil characteristics, properties, native flora, research methods
- Practice soil chemistry tests (use school soil)
- PBL: would controlled burnings be beneficial to the native vegetation in the area? (soil quality, veg. growth, runoff, etc.)
- Students sample soil in burned and unburned areas of the NJ Pine Barrens. Includes testing burns in various stages of recovery.
- Analyze soil for different chemical properties
- Use data to form proposal for local DNR
Assessment: Oral presentation, field journal, lab write up
Enrichment/Reflection: Compare results between fire disturbance and another type (i.e, building new neighborhood)
Resources:Experts(?), possible field trip
Barriers: $ for field trip, equipment (GPS, soil test kits, etc)
Responses: Contact local Pine Barrens Society, DNR, colleges and universities for expert help, maps, info, apply for grants for equipment
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