Cooperative Institute for Research in Environmental Sciences

Earthworks
Earth System Science for Secondary Teachers

Cheryl Seals (Earthworks 2001)

Ecological Site Comparisons

Who: Environmental Science classes (Juniors and Senior)

What: Compare disturbed site behind school with similar control site. Student will chose to focus, individually, on trees, shrubs, & animal species, with each group evaluating all aspects of the site.

Why: To allow students to investigate the succession of a particular site & draw conclusions from collected data.

Where: Wooded area east of school.

When: Fall 2001 & Spring 2002 semesters

Potential Barriers: None, except students' level of enthusiasm!

Methods:

• Divide class into 4 groups
• Designate 2 disturbed sites and 2 control sites
• Assign a group of students regarding data collection procedures
• Students collect data on site and record findings on site analysis data sheets
• After data collection, groups combine data and make comparisons of disturbed & control sites.

Connections Between Projects: Soil analysis could be conducted on sites.