Does anyone have ideas for an on-campus follow-up activity the students can do to collect real data and apply what they've learned in this simulation activity? I don't feel like I'll be able to organize a full-on field trip at this point in the year, but I would like for this activity to have meaning for the students. If I tell them that they are learning and practicing these skills in the simulation so that they can apply it in a real situation, I think it will be more motivating and interesting for the students. However, the follow-up activity will need to be an on-campus activity. Anyone have ideas? I appreciate your help!
Thu, 05/09/2013 - 17:02
I was trying to figure the same thing out for my students to make it more real life related. After reading the suggestion offered I was thinking about the same idea but having them identify trash or gum counts and then offer suggestions to improve the numbers if they are high (which I think they will). Or do a comparison between the 'trash' type numbers and actual living organisms. We also have a lot of newly planted plants that keep getting run down by the students and maybe this could lead to a school announcement type program about keeping the plants alive.... Not sure but if anyone else has ideas, I'd love them too.
Tue, 04/23/2013 - 12:31
This is tricky,I have thinking about the same thing. Maybe students could identify the "substrates" of your campus (ours would be soil, grass, and concrete) and then some organisms to look for (insects?) and use quadrat point sampling or something similar. The students could use a campus map to create their sampling design.
Maybe the greater purpose is to look at native vs . invasive species on your campus, or to find the "need" related into what species should be introduced. I am just brainstorming :) On our campus we would find a large degree of soil as substrate, and student scientist may want to propose alternative substrates to campus officials. We could share our results with administration.