What's in Our Water?
SUPPLEMENTARY MATERIALS
Activities to Teach Mathematics in the Context of Environmental Studies
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Program Overview
The Problem-Solving Activities for Middle-Level Science series consists of 8 stand-alone modules. Each module contains 2 to 6 units focused on technological and/or ethical aspects of issues involving science, technology, and society. The series was designed so that teachers might select modules and units that address local needs and draw on local community resources. A module requires 3 to 8 weeks to complete, depending on the units selected. Supplies and equipment may be required that are not typically part of a school's science inventory.
Teacher's Guide
Recommended grade level:
6-8.
Wildlife and Humanity is designed to increase students' interest in issues pertaining to wildlife and to encourage their participation in the resolution of local wildlife issues. The guide's 3 units each contain several classroom or outdoor activities; many of these involve reading or research. Students plan and carry out local field walks and investigations, implement a bird feeder project, and visit a zoo or environmental education center. Through readings, simulations, debates, and reports, students then focus on wildlife and human interactions. They use a simple model, for example, to illustrate resource depletion. They also explore the impact of introduced species, and they gather information on wetlands and relate the effects of habitat destruction to changes in wildlife populations and communities. Finally, students produce case studies on controversial wildlife issues of their choice, and they plan and carry out a project to enhance an outdoor habitat.
Each activity includes suggestions for extensions, evaluations, and interdisciplinary connections. Ideas for long-term studies or for repeating outdoor activities during different seasons of the year are also given. Although the module was produced for use in New York State, it can easily be adapted for use elsewhere. Limited background information is provided.
Key to Content Standards: 5-8 (see app. C)
UNIFYING CONCEPTS AND PROCESSES: Systems, order, and organization; evidence, models, and explanations.
SCIENCE AS INQUIRY: Abilities necessary to do scientific inquiry; understandings about scientific inquiry.
LIFE SCIENCE: Regulation and behavior; populations and ecosystems.
SCIENCE IN PERSONAL AND SOCIAL PERSPECTIVE: Populations, resources, and environments.
Price:
Teacher's guide: In New York State, free with attendance at workshop; outside New York, $7.
Publisher/supplier:
New York Science, Technology and Society Education Project.
Materials:
Available locally, or from commercial suppliers.
