This is an in-class activity where students learn about the interconnectedness of …
This is an in-class activity where students learn about the interconnectedness of land use, water quality, and water resource management. Students are assigned a river front parcel of land to develop, unaware that each parcel is connected to someone else's parcel. Each team presents their development choices to the class and learns that all of the river sections are contiguous, leading to discussions about the effects of development and downstream water quality issues.
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An attempt to help students better understand both the nature of river …
An attempt to help students better understand both the nature of river flow and its significance to human society, this lab follows the historic efforts of the Army Corps of Engineers to 'improve' the Mississippi River channel for commercial navigation. Students start by taking a section of the natural river channel and designing a river management program of wing dam and riprap construction that would manipulate the river's natural erosion and deposition processes to force the river itself to carve a deeper, more navigable channel. They then compare their plan to the one designed by the Corps and consider the implications of any significant differences between the two schemes. They are then asked to determine the environmental consequences of their proposed plan on the greater river system.
After this initial exploration, students compare the Corp's early efforts at wing dam and riprap management with its later plan of lock and dam construction and again investigate the impact of the two management schemes on the greater river system. The lab also considers differences in the cultural perspectives of 19th century Dakota and Euro-American communities regarding river systems. In concluding essays, the students must consider the environmental aspects of river management, specifically recognizing what was lost from the river system the Dakota originally knew.
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This activity is designed to engage students in an active debate about …
This activity is designed to engage students in an active debate about land use and planning, human populations, ecosystems, and sustainability by assigning every student to a "community" along a theoretical meandering river.
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Student materials for this exercise include a Microsoft Excel spreadsheet with peak …
Student materials for this exercise include a Microsoft Excel spreadsheet with peak discharge data for the Hillsborough River and Curiosity Creek, a .zip file containing two versions (PDF and JPG) of the topographic map of the Sulphur Springs quadrangle, and a simplified sketch map of the quadrangle. The exercise is divided into three parts. In Part I, students study the Sulphur Springs topographic quadrangle to gain a general idea of the landscape. The students identify drainage divides on the quadrangle and outline the drainage basins on the sketch map. Part II includes calculating the frequency and probability of various sized floods and creating a recurrence curve using Microsoft Excel charts. Students apply their knowledge to decide whether to buy a house on the floodplain of the Hillsborough River. In Part III, students use their results to interpret the potential for flooding along the main river and one of its tributaries. Students compare recurrence curves to deduce that having more years of data leads to a more reliable flood forecast. They search online to determine the reasons for particular floods and contrast the effects on the two streams.
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This role-playing activity allows students to learn more about the six general …
This role-playing activity allows students to learn more about the six general ways Americans respond to climate change and engage in conversations while embodying these groups. Students will be able to describe the different ways Americans respond to climate change and develop arguments to support their claims.
This video segment uses data-based visual NOAA representations to trace the path …
This video segment uses data-based visual NOAA representations to trace the path of surface ocean currents around the globe and explore their role in creating climate zones. Ocean surface currents have a major impact on regional climate around the world, bringing coastal fog to San Francisco and comfortable temperatures to the British Isles.
This activity uses an assortment of digital resources relevant to exploring resource …
This activity uses an assortment of digital resources relevant to exploring resource development on Native American lands. The activity is based on a website that uses an Earth System approach to help students understand how Native American lands have been impacted by resource development. In the role-playing exercise, students are assigned one of several roles, including consulting geologists, the mining industry, tribal elders and public health officials. Each student uses the web-based learning materials to research the issue from the perspective of their role. This type of exercise could also be used as a debate by dividing a class into groups that play the roles of the Navajo people and the Federal Government.
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In this activity, students reenact key events leading up to and following …
In this activity, students reenact key events leading up to and following the 2009 L'Aquila Earthquake and trial. This leads into a debate on responsibility for communicating and understanding risks and natural hazards.
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Haz un comedero para pájaros con un rollo de papel higiénico. Agentes …
Haz un comedero para pájaros con un rollo de papel higiénico. Agentes de Colorado Americorp en los condados de Araphahoe, Denver, Garfield, Larimer y Weld. Trabajo apoyado por la Corporación para el Servicio Nacional y Comunitario bajo el número de subvención 18AFHCO0010008 de Americorps. Las opiniones o puntos de vista expresados en esta lección pertenecen a los autores y no representan necesariamente la posición oficial o una posición respaldada por la Corporación o el programa Americorps.
In this hands-on activity, students explore whether rooftop gardens are a viable …
In this hands-on activity, students explore whether rooftop gardens are a viable option for combating the urban heat island effect. The guiding question is: Can rooftop gardens reduce the temperature inside and outside of houses?
This activity provides an approach to teach field methods that is programmed …
This activity provides an approach to teach field methods that is programmed to avoid common pitfalls in teaching field methods to students. The two common problems that are avoided is familiarity with equipment and improved group function.
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In this lesson we review "Acids and Bases" taught in a previous …
In this lesson we review "Acids and Bases" taught in a previous lesson and, through a scientific method, will look at the impact of an acid on different types of shells. Students will reinforce previous learning of scientific principles including acids/basis and will develop a real experiment using the scientific method.
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This video segment features subsistence fishing and harvesting in the Northwestern US. …
This video segment features subsistence fishing and harvesting in the Northwestern US. The segment was adapted from a student video produced at Northwest Indian College in Bellingham, Washington.
The activity allows for learning about salt marshes ecosystem and practicing of …
The activity allows for learning about salt marshes ecosystem and practicing of basic math in estimations.
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These two visuals illustrate quantities of freshwater vs saltwater availability worldwide through …
These two visuals illustrate quantities of freshwater vs saltwater availability worldwide through graphs and charts. There are resources included that support conversations around the graphics. These graphics are part of a larger collection of resources titled "Climate Change Impacts and Solutions: Drought"
This video adapted from Bullfrog Films examines the effects of global warming …
This video adapted from Bullfrog Films examines the effects of global warming on the Pacific island of Samoa with testimonials from an expert in both western science knowledge and traditional ecological knowledge. Background essay and discussion questions are included.
An in-class introductory level activity for science and non-science majors that explores …
An in-class introductory level activity for science and non-science majors that explores the properties of sand in order to identify depositional environments.
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This NASA video explores the relationship between climate and agriculture. The video …
This NASA video explores the relationship between climate and agriculture. The video discusses the variability of climate impacts in different regions, as well as the effects of population growth and higher demands for food in areas that already struggle to supply food for the people. The video highlights the need for accurate, continuous, and accessible data and computer models from NASA satellites to track and predict the challenges farmers face as they adjust to a changing climate.
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