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| Probing Questions | |||
| by Linda C. Joseph, Columbus (Ohio) Public Schools, Library of Congress | |||
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| Probing Questions | |||
| by Linda C. Joseph, Columbus (Ohio) Public Schools, Library of Congress | |||
[Editor's note: URLs mentioned in this article appear in the chart that follows.]
On a brisk, overcast day a busload of budding scientists from Old Orchard Elementary and Monroe Middle schools in Columbus, Ohio, embarked on a field trip to Spruce Run Environmental Education Center. Spruce Run is located on 50 acres of land donated to Columbus Public Schools by Robert and Dorothy Patton in 1974. It is well suited for outdoor education, with a variety of geologic features including a succession plot, woodland, meadow, shale creek bed, flood plain, and ridge. A portable classroom equipped with electricity and running water serves as a shelter and area for indoor activities.
As the students emerged
from the bus, the air was filled with excitement and anticipation. This
was no ordinary field trip. These urban scientists were going to collect
data with science probes that would help them find the answers to questions
posed about the differences in the ecosystems of a stream, forest, and
meadow. Which type of soil supports more plant life? Why do you think the
habitats have different pH levels in the soil? Are there different temperature
readings among the ecosystems? After being divided into groups, students
were given worksheets (see "Soil Sample Worksheet" at right) and rotated
through stations where they learned about the characteristics of ecosystems,
soil pH, difference between air and ground temperatures, and how to use
probes. Laptop computers were set up in the shelter house to manipulate
the information. Prior to this scientific expedition, students were prepped
with background information on habitats, pH, making predictions, and soil
composition. Web sites provided valuable background information and contributed
to the prior knowledge necessary for scientific inquiry.
ECOSYSTEMS
Biomes of the World
Basic concepts about biomes
and ecosystems around the world are presented along with photographs and
illustrations. You can find facts and definitions about deserts, forests,
grasslands, streams, wetlands, and oceans. The site is easy to navigate
and suitable for elementary and middle school students.
Fantastic Forest
Take a virtual walk through
the forest, complete with sights, sounds, and panoramic views. Find hidden
creatures and features and learn about plants and animals in the woods.
Build your own forest by selecting from objects and placing them in the
picture. This activity produced by National Geographic will be a big hit
with elementary students.
Forest Conservation Portal
Links and news to hundreds
of sites can be found by visiting this portal. The mission of the organization
is to help end deforestation, preserve old-growth forests, and foster ecological
restoration. The site is updated frequently with new articles and conservation
alerts.
Water Quality Program:
Streams
Why is the temperature
of a stream important? How does pollution affect the pH in water? These
and other questions are answered. Nutrients, dissolved oxygen, and suspended
solids and turbidity are also presented.
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Although the students in this article used the Pasco Datalogger and sensors, there are several companies that manufacture probeware for schools. Many of the products are sold in bundles targeted to specific grade levels and subject areas. Pasco
Team Labs
Texas Instruments
Vernier
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pH SCALE
BrainPop
Need a multimedia explanation
of the pH scale with lab activities? Drop by Brainpop and view a movie
clip on the pH scale that defines acids and bases and gives a technical
explanation of hydrogen's role. This highly interactive site is a barrel
of fun. Content is based on the needs of its users and the National Science
Education Standards. At present, BrainPOP.com has over 80 original animated
movies covering health, science, and technology topics. To play more than
three movies per day, you need to purchase a subscription. More information
about school pricing can be found on the site.
pH Factor
What do cabbage water and
litmus paper have in common? Paper strips dipped in cabbage water and dried
can be can be used as an indicator of pH. Predict the pH of substances,
and then click on the item to see where it falls on the pH scale. In addition
to activities and lessons, there is a clear explanation of water and pH.
This is a great starting point for elementary and middle school students
to learn about pH.
SOIL
S.K. Worm Answers Your
Questions About Soil and Stuff
Have you ever wondered
how many years it takes to form 1 inch of soil? S.K. Worm answers frequently
asked questions about soil in a humorous way. This site is brought to you
by the United States Department of Agriculture and is geared to elementary
students.
Soil Climate Analysis
Network
Compare the air and soil
temperatures your students gather with other areas of the country in real
time. Sorting out relevant information may be a bit challenging at first
because so much other data is included in the tables. However, once you
understand the column codes, you will be able to find the information for
your comparison study. All temperatures are reported in Celsius. High school
students can take this a step further by comparing other soil data like
moisture and salinity.
LESSON PLANS AND PROJECTS
The Sensational Soil
Sampling Project
Want to participate in
a project after you have investigated soil samples? Then join The Sensational
Sampling Project sponsored by TEAMS Distance Learning. In this activity,
you will share and compare your soil samples with those of other students
across the U.S. What predictions do you think you can make about the data?
Soil Investigation
GLOBE is a worldwide hands-on,
primary and secondary school-based science and education program. The program
offers students the opportunity to take measurements and report their data
through the Internet. Teachers can take advantage of the many teaching
guides, Web chats, and videos on scientific topics. All GLOBE texts and
other materials can be downloaded or copied without charge. The materials
on soil investigation are comprehensive and include activities that teachers
can implement readily into the curriculum. From Bricks to Mud Pies, A Field
View of Soil—Digging Around, and Soil—The Great Decomposer are a sample
of the activities covered. Teachers and other educators who wish to lead
students in GLOBE need to attend special workshops in order to fully participate
in the program.
Soil Science Education
Page
Wow! NASA and the Soil
Science Society of America have produced a tremendous site rich in content
and detail. If there is anything you want to know about soil, you will
probably find it on these pages. Features include soil songs, a pH chart
of forest trees and plants, soil in the news, five soil-forming factors,
soil characteristics, a soil cake recipe, and much more.
ABSORBING ANSWERS
Our young scientists expertly
created an Excel spreadsheet of the data collected from pH and temperature
samples. They constructed graphs and charts of temperatures from the woodland,
meadow, and stream so they could compare the results and draw conclusions.
Another chart compared the different pH readings from each of the ecosystems.
They found that air temperatures were very similar for each location and
the difference between the surface temperature and the ground temperature
ranged between 4 and 5 degrees. The study that captivated students the
most was pH. They discovered that pH was more acidic under trees in the
woodland than in the open meadow, and the stream was somewhat acidic due
to leaves falling into it. Each student kept a folder and disk of the results
to compare with those of the next excursion in the winter. Who knows what
science treasures students will discover on their next outing?
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| ECOSYSTEMS
Biomes of the World
Fantastic Forest
Forest Conservation Portal
Water Quality Program: Streams
pH SCALE BrainPop
pH Factor
SOIL S.K. Worm Answers Your Questions About
Soil and Stuff
Soil Climate Analysis Network
LESSON PLANS AND PROJECTS The Sensational Soil Sampling Project
Soil Investigation
Soil Science Education Page
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Linda Joseph is the author
of Net Curriculum: An Educator’s
Guide to Using the Internet, published by CyberAge Books. The recipient
of numerous awards, in addition to her work in the Columbus Public Schools
and the Library of Congress, Linda is a part-time instructor for Ohio State
University. Communications to the author may be addressed to her at Columbus
Public Schools, 737 East Hudson Street, Columbus, OH 43211; 614/365-5277;
ljoseph@iwaynet.net.
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