Where is That?
An
Investigation of
in Local River
Basins
Workstation
(PLEASE CLICK ON THE
BLUE HIGHLIGHTED WORDS FOR MORE INFO OR INSTRUCTIONS)
Created by Laureen Andrews-Vines
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Competency Goal: The learner will build an understanding of the earth's hydrosphere. (For NC SCOS for 8th gr Science) Student Objectives:
1) Creating an enlarged map of the water flow in your local river basin. (entire class activity)(*may use transparency, temperature records, pH, dissolved oxygen levels, alkalinity, nitrate, and salinity indicators). 3) Preparing the "Best" Science Project (Scientific Method). 4) Exploring Microorganisms in Water 5)Using Technology to Document the Ecosystem and Create Visuals.
Do you know your environmental ecosystem?
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Workstation 1: Preparing a Local River Basin Map
Materials
and Equipment: Description: In this workstation, you will be able to identify the major river(s) that flows into your local community. Then using a highlighter on your local map, you will be able to identify the lakes, streams, ponds, and creeks that are a part of that river basin. Internet
Resource: Assessment: 1)
What is the name of the major river(s) in your local area? 3) Identify, by naming, the body of water closet to your home address. (This area will become your research site for remaining workstations) Workstation 2: Water Testing/Analysis
disposable gloves pen and pencil Description: In this workstation, you will learn how to collect and test water samples. Each test is different, so, you will need to understand the purpose behind each test. Elementary students should try completing: transparency, temperature, pH, and either conductivity or salinity over a 6 - 12 week period. Middle/High students may decide to try completing all the tests, if the materials and equipment are available. Internet
Resource: Assessment: 1) You should record your data into the Globe reporting form. 2) You must create a lab report notebook that will be turned in to the teacher. In this lab report, your 12 weeks of observations (written data logs) must be presented. 3) You must create line/bar graphs of your data, use create a graph; this will provide visual presentations of the data you collected over the last twelve weeks. Be sure to title the: Name of the River Basin, Body of Water Studied (creek, river, lake, or pond), Dates Studied.
Materials and Equipment: Website: Kid's Guide http://edweb.tusd.k12.az.us/jtindell/ Website: Experimental Science http://whww.isd77.k12.mn.us/resources/cf/SciProjIntro.html Website: Science Project Guidelines http://bioscience.ksc.nasa.gov/education/general/scifair1.htm Notebook Pen/Pencil for note taking Description In this workstation, you will learn the steps to completing science research. Using the above Internet sites, you will take notes on the parts of the scientific method. You will, also, view examples for writing problem statements, hypotheses, materials lists, etc. You must prepare a science project report for your studies of your local river basin, and prepare a 3 - sided display for a school fair. Internet Resources: http://www.cyberbee.com/science/sci6.html Assessment: 1) Use the above Internet resource site and print the "Science Project Component" worksheet to record the information for your river basin science project. Workstation 4: Exploring Microorganism in Water
Materials and Equipment: Water Samples Collected from study area Intel
QX3 Microscope or Compound Lighted Microscope Guide
Books for Identifying Organisms: Slides
(Plastic or Glass)
In this workstation, you will view slides prepared from your research area. You must exercise care in bringing your water samples in, no closed containers without air holes, otherwise the lack of oxygen will kill your microorganisms before you get to view them. In your quest to view microorganisms, do not forget that you may find macroinvertebrates of insect larvae. These are nymphs, larvae, mosquitoes, and other bugs. Once you have focused your slides, make sketches of the living things you find.
Internet Resources: Lighted Microscopes http://micrographia.com/tutoria/micbasic/micbpt02/micb0200.htm Intel
QX3 Microscopes Assessment: 1) Follow the Internet directions to using your microscope (use above Internet sites). What microorganisms do you find in your water sample? Sketch or take pictures (if you have an Intel) of your findings. 2) Over the next twelve weeks recollect more samples, once or twice a week, per teacher instructions, and repeat this process.
Workstation 5: Using Technology to Document the Water Ecosystem and Create Visuals
Materials and Equipment: Video
Camera Description: In this workstation, you will create pictures, movies, 3-D life forms, dioramas, and a Class Internet Website. Your creation must capture the animals, plants, algae, microorganisms, and panorama of the body of water in your river ecosystem. Your aim should be to travel to your study area at different times of day, different days of the week, after it rains, when seasons change/temperature changes over the next 12 weeks to obtain pictures of the various organisms and populations in your community. You may use 360 panoramas, video clip movies, etc. to share on the class created website . Finally, you will use your imagination to create a 3-D representation of, at least, one living thing found in your ecosystem (earthworms out of stockings,turtles out of paper plates, water flea out of wire, fish out of papermache). Or you can create a diorama of your study ecosystem. (Click on each type of media to see examples) Internet
Resources: Assessment: 1) You will create a web page for the class website. Examples of criteria to put on your web page: Example 1, Example 2 2) Your web page should have pictures of your study area. Use your digital camera, remember to try to take a 360 panorama. Try IrfanView to get help with your pictures. 3) You should have movie clip, and, at least, one sound clip discussing what you learned about your river basin ecology. 4) Your team should have a diorama and create one or two 3-D living things that can be found in your ecosystem. Final Assessment: Each student should integrate all their workstations into a final presentation for teacher evaluation.
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