This week students are doing a project where they will need to use Google Earth to map and analyze water sources, land features and land uses within their own watershed. See the complete assignment details here: Google Earth Watershed Investigation
ASSIGNMENTS:
Today students viewed a History Channel documentary about water entitled Modern Marvels – Water. Students added to their notes about water treatment, irrigation, and the history of water use throughout the world.
Students will be using Google Earth for a project focused on our local watershed after February break. To prepare for this, students installed the program on their computers and practiced searching and tagging locations. Google Earth can be accessed here: https://www.google.com/earth/ (the street view feature can also be viewed in Google Maps without installing the entire program).
Some places students may want to check out:
Students are applying what they have learned about watersheds, topography and land use to design a community with the aim of minimizing the amount of pollution entering the neighboring “Dragonfly Pond.” Students will need to layout the community on their map and then complete an analysis of the impact of specific land uses on the watershed. Here are the materials from class:
Due to our many snow days the past week and a half, this activity has spanned over a week (rather than the typical 3 days). Students have been given additional time to complete the assignment, but it cannot be turned in any later than Friday, February 17th.
ASSIGNMENTS:
Today students investigated how pollutants impact a watershed. As part of this, students had a mock-investigation of a local river water sample. Students needed to identify the specific pollutants in the water and analyze the causes and solutions for this pollution. Students will need this Pollutant Information Sheet to complete the activity.
ASSIGNMENTS:
Today in class students will practice making, reading and analyzing topographic maps to better understand how the shape of the land determines how watersheds are formed. Students will have a series of activities helping them to review the big ideas from last week. Here are some of the materials from class today:
Today students practiced making topographic maps by using miniature potato mountains. Students can watch this video for a quick review of topographic maps (they only need to watch the first 4-5 minutes): http://study.com/academy/lesson/how-to-read-topographic-and-geologic-maps.html
Students that finish with extra time can check out this map (choose “USA Topo” and zoom in):
To better understand watersheds, students learned how to read topographic maps today. Topographic maps use contour lines to show the elevations of different parts of land. These different elevations shape where water drains to, creating the boundaries of specific watersheds.
Here are the resources from class:
ASSIGNMENTS:
Today students built a watershed model using paper and water to show how and where water collects depending on the elevation of the land. Students made observations, practiced their mapping skills and had to problem solve to design different sorts of watersheds. The lab directions and notes can be found here: Watershed Investigation
ASSIGNMENTS:
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