Independent Study of Water in the Local Environment

Grade Level: 6-8

Introduction: Students will use questions they develop regarding water and the local ecosystem to design and perform an original ecohydrology experiment. The results of their independent study and background research will be communicated in a written paper which encompasses all the steps of the scientific method. This lesson can be used as an alternative assessment following the completion of any or all of the Canopy In The Clouds ecohydrology lessons: “Water Cycle in the Cloud Forest”, “Organism Adaptations to Water Availability in the Cloud Forest”, “Water and Decomposition”, and “Transpiration and Water in the Cloud Forest”.

Objectives: Students will be able to 1) explain the importance of water within the cloud forest ecosystem 2) collect data from the local ecosystem 3) compare and contrast ecohydrology of the two ecosystems.

National Science Standards: Science as Inquiry, Structure of the earth system, Populations and ecosystems, Matter, energy, and organization in living systems.

Time: 60 minutes (10 minutes for opening, 5 minutes for ecohydrology discussion, 25 minutes for brainstorming and collaboration, 15 minutes for assigning topics and reviewing project directions, 5 minutes for 3-2-1 closing activity). If the teacher desires, additional class periods may be used for student research, performing experiments, and presenting final work.

Related Plans:

1. Water Cycle
2. Understanding Seasonality
3. Organism Adaptation to Water Availability
4. Plant Transpiration
5. Independent Study of Water in the Environment