Labs - Environmental Science - page 355

Figure C-4: An eco-column.
Ecological Footprint
Students take an online survey answering questions about their lifestyles and then, based on their answers, see
their calculated impact on the Earth—often referred as their footprint. Students can take the survey multiple
times to see how hypothetical changes in their lifestyles may affect their footprints.
Ecosystem Ecology
This field experiment examines the biotic and abiotic components of a local ecosystem and gives students the
opportunity to learn how to use common environmental measurement instruments such as barometers, hygro-
meters, and thermometers. Students observe and note plants, consumers, decomposers, elements, and com-
pounds. Depending on design, data is recorded over a period of time, possibly two to four different times. The
flow of energy throughout the ecosystem, species interactions, and human impacts on the ecosystem are noted.
Energy Audits
Students examine energy usage at home or school and determine ways to make changes to save energy. This
may include looking at the home energy bill to determine how much energy is used in kWh. Surveys may be
conducted to see the number of light bulbs in the house, wattages of bulbs already in use, dimmer switches
used, how many are compact fluorescent lights (CFLs), or how many incandescent bulbs can be converted to
CFLs or replaced by lesser-wattage incandessent bulbs. Students may watch a meter to compare energy use
when an appliance is turned on to energy use when the same appliance is turned off. From the results, the stu-
dents develop a plan to use less energy.
Field Studies
Field studies study natural areas and might include determining the types of plants and animals in the areas,
and the role of the water, weather, terrain, and human influences. Additional studies may include determining
water quality, air quality, soil studies, and transects. (See " Ecosystem Ecology , " earlier, as an example of a
field-study lab.)
Food Webs
There are several activities showing food webs in action. Students identify producers, primary consumers, sec-
ondary consumers, tertiary consumers, and decomposers. Students set up the various links between species,
show energy flow from the lower to the higher trophic level, and to decomposers. Finally, exploring webs can
help students discuss the ramifications if one species is removed.
Mining
Students construct a model of a mine, illustrating different layers of the Earth and the location of the desired
ore. Then students trade models with a partner and try to mine the partner's model. The goal is to maximize the
ore collected and minimize the damage done to the mine. This activity can also be done using chocolate chip
cookies.
LD 50 : Bioassay