|
Earthworks
Earth System Science for Secondary Teachers
Grade Level and Content: 11,12, Geology
Basic Idea: My plan is to link with a local nature center, namely the Little Red Schoolhouse Nature Center located in Cook County, IL. The nature center sits on 14,000 acres of forest preserve and is run by the county. Naturalists at LRSH have indicated an interest in local geology, and having an exhibit made.
Timeline:
I plan to use a geological study as a focus for a year long class. Each month / unit to do a different field study to create a geological history of the area.
August 2004
Meet with naturalists and discuss areas of study.
Map boundaries of site using GPS data with students, mark 10 sampling areas as waypoints.
Background Needs:
- 12 GPS units
- GPS skills
- Basic map reading skills
Learning Objectives:
- Students will be able to mark and label waypoints.
- Students will create and follow routes using a GPS and compass.
- Student s will create both a hand drawn and computer assisted map of the area including waypoints of test sites.
Assessment:
- Students will successfully complete a GPS "scavenger hunt".
- Formal assessment (quiz) on map reading.
- Student made maps of area, including appropriate scale and test points.
September 2004
Sample 1 local river, 2 streams, and 3 ponds on site and test for water quality.
Create a map of the local watershed including tested waters.
Background Needs
- Science sample gathering procedures.
- Measuring and sampling equipment
- Content on rivers, water quality
- GPS units for mapping watershed
Learning Objectives
- Students will be able to gather samples and track data in a log book.
- Students will compare and contrast water quality in streams and ponds.
- Students will create a hypothesis to explain differences in water quality
- Students will describe features of a river, stream, and pond
- Students will describe a watershed
Assessment
- Formal lab write up of water quality tests with conclusion
- Student log books
- Map of watershed area
- Application of content to new watershed and water quality
October 2004
Field study of soils in area. Analyze soil types and horizons.
Compare soils to types of parent rocks / minerals
Background Needs
- Soil testing equipment
- Charts / diagram of common soils
- Charts / diagrams of minerals
- Basic content on rock types
Learning Objectives
- Students will identify different soil types
- Students will identify different soil horizons
- Students will create a soil profile of LRSH site
- Students will understand how parent rocks influence soil types
Assessment
- Formal lab write up of soils
- Soil profile of LRSH site
- Student Data Logs
- Presentations of parent rocks and soils, including different soils in diverse regions of the US
November 2004
Field study of local rocks, outcroppings of bedrock.
Compare local rocks and bedrocks to soil types.
Background Needs:
- Geology field guides
- Content on Rock Cycle and formation of rock types.
- Content on weathering and erosional processes
- Field data
- Rock mineral charts
Learner objectives
- Students will identify igneous, sedimentary, and metamorphic rocks
- Students will explain the rock cycle
- Students will explain weathering
- Students will understand the local rock types and bedrock
- Students will describe national parks with characteristic rock types
Assessment
- Formal lab(s): Rock ID
- Formal lab: Rocks of the LRSH site
- Map of rock distribution and bedrock outcrops
- Student data logs
- Presentation on weathering
- Presentation on National Park
January 2005
Develop GIS format for data analysis
Background Needs
- GIS software
- GIS training (both for myself and students)
- Data for input(use collected data)
Learner objectives
- student will gain fluency in the GIS software
- Students will use GIS software to compare different data sets
- Students will correlate different data sets
Assessment
- GIS maps
- Paper on fall profile of LRSH site.
February 2005
Develop Website for local geology
Background Needs
- Website space
- Programming skills
Learner Objectives
- students will maintain a website of class finding
Assessment
March 2005
Study of glacial features in area, mark with GPS
Create topo maps of geological features, Input into GIS
Background Needs
- Field data on glacial features
- Content on glaciers
- Topo maps of local area
Learner Objectives
- Students will ID local glacial features
- Students will describe the process of glaciation
- Students will continue to collect data and keep data log
- Students will create their own topo map of local features
Assessment
- Formal assessment on glacial processes and features
- Student data logs
- Topographic map of local features
April 2005
Compare common flora at LRSH site after glaciation with common flora of non-glaciated area near Crystal Lake, IL (field study)
Background Needs
- Flora identification manuals / local expert
- Glaciation area map
Learner Objectives
- Students will compare and contrast glaciated areas with non glaciated areas
- Students will describe typical ecosystems of glaciated and non-glaciated areas
Assessment
- Student data logs
- Formal lab on glacial flora
- Model ecosystems of glaciated and non-glaciated
May 2005
Create overall profile of LRSH site, and exhibit for nature center.
Background Needs
- materials for profile and exhibit
Learner objectives
- Students will create a model used for education and display at local nature center
Assessment
June 2005
Present finished work to nature center
Enrichment
Students will provided the LRSH with useful exhibit(s) and make connections with local scientists.
Students will gain technological experience using GIS and website design
Resources
- Local naturalists / scientists available
- Tremendous parent support
- Supply budget to obtain some / all materials
- School website host
- Computer lab to assist with analysis
- Lab facilities
Barriers
- Scheduling field trips to collect data
- Limited supply budgets
- Cook County Forest Preserve Cooperation
These obstacles can be overcome through good communication and planning. I think these will not become major obstacles.
|
About Us