Real-time Environmental Data in the Classroom

Transcription

1 Real-time Environmental Data in the Classroom The National Estuarine Research Reserve Education Initiatives Dwayne E. Porter Arnold School of Public Health at the University of South Carolina and the NOAA Centralized Data Management Office and Bree Murphy and Atziri Ibanez NOAA National Estuarine Research Reserve 2012 EARTH Workshop

2 Session Goals Inspire teaching about estuaries, data, and/or research Increase understanding about the NERRS coastal observing system called SWMP Increase interest in using the Estuaries 101 Curriculum and Estuaries.noaa.gov resources Demonstrate use of research and data highlighted in the Estuaries 101 lesson plans

3 Session Agenda Introduction to Water Quality Monitoring in Estuaries Water Quality Data Interfaces and Partnerships Data in the Classroom: Water Quality Module Estuaries 101 SWMP Graphing Tool NERRS Centralized Data Management Office Opportunities for Participation

4 Question We would like to know about you What grade level do you teach? A. Elementary School, K-5 B. Middle School, 6-8 C. High School, 9-12 D. I teach college students E. I am an Informal Educator 4

5 Question We would like to know about you Which of these subjects do you currently teach? A. Water Quality B. Marine Biology C. Climate Change D. All of the Above 5

6 Question We would like to know about you How often do you use real environmental data in your classroom? A. Not much B. Some C. Frequently D. Almost always 6

7 Question We would like to know about you How often do you and your students collect environmental data? A. Not much B. Some C. Frequently, online D. Frequently, out in the field 7

8 Session Agenda Introduction to Water Quality Monitoring in Estuaries Water Quality Data Interfaces and Partnerships Opportunities for Participation

9 Estuaries: Where rivers meet the sea National Estuarine Research Reserves (NERRS) Protected areas designated for long-term research, education and stewardship. Reserves will serve to enhance public awareness and understanding of estuarine areas, and provide suitable opportunities for public education and interpretation Coastal Zone Management Act (sec. 315)

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11 Our Estuarine Research Reserves Rookery Bay NERR, FL.

12 Our Estuarine Research Reserves Waquoit Bay NERR, MA

13 Our Estuarine Research Reserves Kachemak Bay NERR, AK

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15 The NERRS System-Wide Monitoring Program (SWMP) is: A national coastal observing system Designed to identify and track short-term variability, and long-term changes in representative estuarine ecosystems and coastal watersheds For the purpose of understanding how human activities and natural events can change ecosystems.

16 NERRS System-wide Monitoring Program Real-time data online for 67 SWMP stations Water quality data available Weather data available

17 Monitoring Water Quality and Weather SWMP Data-logger Water quality data are collected at 15 or 30 minute intervals at 4 locations within or adjacent to a research reserve. Weather data are collected within or adjacent to a research reserve at 5 second intervals.

18 Other SWMP Modules Completed by Reserve Researchers Nutrient Sampling Habitat Mapping Biomonitoring Sediment Elevation Tables

19 Data resources can help students really feel a connection to their coasts, oceans and other life in our planet.

20 Pausing for questions 20

21 Session Agenda Introduction to Water Quality Monitoring in Estuaries Water Quality Data Interfaces and Partnerships Data in the Classroom: Water Quality Module Estuaries 101 SWMP Graphing tool NERRS Centralized Data Management Office Opportunities for Participation

22 NERRS / IOOS Front-end Evaluation We investigated the ways by which K-12 teachers and students can use real-time data and associated education products to understand and appreciate the role that the environment, in particular the ocean, plays in their lives.

23 Front-end Evaluation Recommendations and Conclusions Simple page layouts Data that are easy to get to... just a few clicks Good, easy-to-access explanations of content and terms Map interface to show where data are collected Local data sets that could also be compared to places nationwide ( data Data visualization tools (ability to graph, map, chart Easy to download Excel or spreadsheet format Tips on getting started Different entry points for different levels of learners

24 Water Quality Data Interface: Data in the Classroom

25 ( NODE ) NOAA Data Education Project Partnership Project between NERRS, ONMS, NODC, Corals Program and the OEd to: Demonstrate how data can be easily integrated to tell a compelling story. Provide a test-bed for development of educational applications of IOOS data. Analyze the usability of IOOS data by the nonscientific public.

26 Teaching Components Four curriculum modules Middle school, grades 6-8 Downloadable materials Correlated to National Standards in Science, Mathematics, Geography & the Ocean Literacy P&C. Online tools for accessing data and producing visualizations.

27 Curriculum Approach Levels of scaled interaction 5 Invention: Highest cognitive level. Student driven. 4 Interactivity: Students analyze data and discuss findings using problem solving techniques and technology driven tools 3 Adaptation: Students use portal tools to play and practice what they know. 2 Adoption: Students use drill and practice using online tools to gather data. 1 Entry: Students look at research questions and discover data that helps them understand key principles & concepts.

28 What are the attractive features of the modules? Classroom activities Teacher Guide Activity Summary Learning Goals Estimated Time Standards Connection Important Terms Preparation Procedure Teacher Worksheets with Answers Student Worksheets Data log sheets 28

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30 Water Quality Levels of scaled interaction 5 Invention: Designing Your Own Investigation: Students will design their own plan to answer a research question. 4 Interactivity: Spawning of the Atlantic Surgeon: Students will access and interpret water quality data to investigate the impact of water quality conditions on the behavior of the Atlantic sturgeon. 3 Adaptation: Introducing Salinity: Students will apply data skills to examine variations in salinity in different parts of an estuary. 2 Adoption: Understanding Dissolved Oxygen: Students will examine the relationship between two water quality parameters plotted on the same graph. 1 Entry: Reading Water Temperature Data: Students will learn to read time series graphs of water quality data, starting with water temperature. This is a teacher-led discussion and activity.

31 Level 1: Reading Water Temperature Data Define estuaries Describe where they are located Explain how real-time water quality measurements are collected Read time series graphs of water quality data

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33 Level 2: Understanding Dissolved Oxygen Students will examine the relationship between two water quality parameters plotted on the same graph.

34 Interactivity Interactivity

35 Level 3: Introducing Salinity Students mission is to find evidence that supports or disproves this hypothesis: Salinity concentrations vary at different locations within an estuary.

36 Level 4: Predicting the Return of the Atlantic Sturgeon Research Question: What water quality factors influence the Atlantic sturgeon to enter and leave estuaries during their yearly migration?

37 Species Factsheets

38 Level Level 5: 5: Hypothesis-driven Designing Your Own science for Investigation improved management Research question: Why are sturgeon populations declining? Hypotheses: Increased sedimentation caused by development and land use practices can alter the freshwater habitats needed for sturgeon to spawn. There are some years when water quality conditions in estuaries are not ideal for sturgeon to spawn.

39 Water Quality Data Interface: Estuaries 101 SWMP interface

40 What is Estuaries 101? A Curriculum Designed for Grades K-12 Grades 9-12: Available on estuaries.noaa.gov Four curriculum modules: Earth, Life & Physical Science & localized module that explores the Chesapeake Bay Grades 6-8: Coming April 2012! 6 curriculum modules: Featuring the Estuary Principles & Concepts, including climate connections

41 Estuaries 101 Curriculum Components Background readings and visualizations Connections to field experiences Use of SWMP monitoring data Estuaries 101 Curriculum Assessment Videos, pictures (media rich)

42 Estuaries 101 Curriculum

43 Teach Estuary Science Use Estuaries 101 Curriculum; SWMP Data Exploration Tools; the Estuaries Education Web site all resources that work together as an excellent education package

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45 SWMP Interface Graphing Tool 45

46 Graphing Tool: Simple as 1, 2, 3. Five Step Process 1: Pick Station Type 2: Select Station 3: Pick Parameter Check Data Availability 4: Select Data Range 5: Select Add and then repeat steps if you want to compare

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48 Estuaries 101 High School Curriculum HS Life Science Module Activity 1: Survival in the Estuary Activity 2: Nutrients in an Estuary Activity 3: Biodiversity in an Estuary HS Earth Science Module Activity 1: Observing Estuaries: A Landform and Feature Scavenger Hunt Activity 2: Salinity and Tides in York River Activity 3: Estuary and Watershed Activity 4: Extreme Weather and Estuaries HS Physical Science Module Activity 1: Chemistry in an Estuary Activity 2: Dissolved Oxygen in the Estuary Activity 3: Human Impacts on Estuaries: A Terrible Spill in Grand Bay

49 How do hurricanes affect the water quality in estuaries? HS Est. 101 Earth Science, Activity 4: Extreme Weather & Estuaries (North Carolina NERR) Scaffolded Activities Investigating an Estuary Which NERRs Are Affected by Hurricanes? Impact of Extreme Weather on an Estuary Hurricane Katrina Water Quality Zeke s Island Aug 1- Sept 17, 1998 Salinity in parts per thousand (ppt)

50 Use the SWMP data to answer a Research Question Correlation of dissolved oxygen and temperature at different locations within an estuary. Correlation between turbidity and rainfall. Rate of salinity change up an estuary (tides). Change in parameters after different types of storms, then relate to climate change. Compare parameters between wet and dry years. Watershed/land use change, before and after. What other questions would YOU ask using the SWMP data?

51 Water Quality Data Interface: Centralized Data Management Office

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54 Pausing for questions 54

55 Session Agenda Introduction to Water Quality Monitoring in Estuaries Water Quality Data Interfaces and Partnerships Opportunities for Participation

56 Learn More How to Use & Explore the Online Monitoring Data Web-Seminar Contact Us! About the Middle School Estuaries 101 Curriculum Web-seminar Contact Us! Find 3-4 other teachers and contact us to schedule a web-seminar

57 What should I do when I go home? Sign up to receive the NERRS Education Bulletin to learn about upcoming teacher trainings in your area Inform your principal and your students parents if needed Use the Curriculum as it is free and can be easily downloaded from estuaries.noaa.gov Check with your school to install on students computers: Adobe Acrobat - Google Earth - Flash Player 7/23/

58 For more information Dwayne E. Porter Atziri Ibanez Bree Murphy

59 Questions?