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ParkWise >
Teachers >Nature > Glaciers Of Kenai
Fjords
Final Activity:
Going on a Scientific Treasure Hunt in
Kenai Fjords National Park
Students will investigate the skills and
science disciplines involved in a study of the environment.
Unit: Glaciers
of Kenai Fjords
Guiding
Question: How can you work as a team
to create and implement a scientific study?
Critical Content:
Students will know that scientific
study of an ecosystem requires the participation of scientists representing
more than one discipline and that scientific studies contribute information
needed to formulate plans to manage Earth's fragile and significant
biospheres.
Grades:
6-12
Duration:
One week, plus time outside class for
research and group meetings
Group
size: Whole class and small
group
Setting:
Classroom, resource center and/or
Internet access
Materials:
Student
Handout #1: Mission Glacier, A Study of Exit Glacier in Kenai Fjords National
Park
Student
Handout #2: Members of the Expedition Team |
Instructional Resources:
Please see the
Kenai
Fjords Instructional Resources Page.
Suggested Activities:
- Discuss the
mission of the activity and the skills and interests needed for each member of
the team.
- Write resumes
for positions on the team.
- Work in teams
to formulate sections of an overall proposal
- Final
Activity: Write a proposal for a study of Exit Glacier in Kenai Fjords
National Park.
Before You Begin:
- Check
resume-writing sites to share with students, if appropriate. (See Instructional Resources)
- Consider
assigning teams ahead of time to make the best use of the abilities and
personalities represented in your classroom.
- Schedule
enough time for each team to work on a computer.
- Determine a
schedule for deadlines and times when teams can work in tandem.
- Make copies of
Student
Handout #1: Mission Glacier, A Study of Exit Glacier in Kenai Fjords National
Park.
- Make copies of
Student
Handout #2: Members of the Expedition Team .
Note:
Before attempting the Final Activity, your students should have
completed:
Procedures:
- First, have
students consider their skills and interests. Then, have each student submit a
resume to request placement on a particular team or to be considered as a team
leader or assistant. Resumes are to be submitted to the Board (teacher)
overseeing the expedition. Tell students to promote themselves in their resume,
citing particular academic and "people" skills, according to the needs of the
requested position.
- When all teams
have been chosen, give students time to get ready to leave. Ask them to:
- Determine
their focus and specific study(s) on the expedition.
- Create a
proposal outlining their hypothesis, methodology, etc.
- Determine
the equipment they will need for their study and who will have what
responsibilities on the trip.
- Once team
plans have been made, all the teams should work briefly in tandem to coordinate
their studies and equipment needs. The technology team will work with all of
the other teams to list and research all equipment needed for the trip. They
should know the sources and budget for the equipment.
- The Physics
Team will cooperate with all teams to help them insure that their methodologies
are sound and will yield the data they need to draw conclusions.
- The Project
Leader is responsible for:
- Coordinating a presentation of the plan of
this venture to the Board of Trustees.
- Overseeing
its presentation at the given time.
> Final
Activity Assessment >
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