Students use the scientific process to determine the health and well being of a local environment and connect their role in the larger watershed to which they belong. Students go out into the field and use the tools of ecologists to collect and analyze data and explore avenues of information sharing.

This project gives students the opportunity to conduct authentic field science and gather and analyze data in real time to assess local human impact on the larger community. Students will be able to connect how small actions can play a pivotal role in an interrelated, global environment.

Students create an educational visual (e.g. an infographic) suitable to share findings and recommendations to the public.

NGSS

• LS2.A: Interdependent Relationships in Ecosystems.
• LS2.C: Ecosystem Dynamics, Functioning, and Resilience.
• LS4.C: Adaptation.
• LS4.D: Biodiversity and Humans.
• ESS3.C: Human Impacts on Earth Systems

CCSS

• RST.11-12.3: Multi-step Procedure
• RST.9-12.7: Multiple sources
• WHST.9-12.2: Informative texts