Technology – 6: Agriculture of the Deer Creek Watershed

Students engage the scientific process in a quantitative study of agriculture.

Science-6

(250 minutes per week)

Units of Study: geology, geologic time, rock cycle, soils and plants, photosynthesis, single and multi-celled organisms, magnetism and electricity, astronomy

Agriculture is studied as a unifying themes an example of environmental issues – nutrients, crops, livestock, electricity and magnetism, machines, transportation, conservation, and fuel.

Process: The Science-6 program will include a concentrated study of earth and space science, life science, chemistry, physics and environmental science as those disciplines apply to agriculture.  Entry points into the hands-on study of agriculture include comparisons between unmanaged and managed parts, processes and systems.  The course culminates with a student-development of an eco-friendly and profitable agri-business.  Student experience includes visits to local farms (beef cattle, crops, dairy production, solar energy, bio-fuel, soil study) and participation in an environmental action project at Eden Mill Nature Center.

Skill Objectives: Data collection, Reading “popular” science, Challenging hypotheses, Forming conclusions

Technology – 7: Local and Global Environmental Stewardship

Students explore science within the context of local ecosystems and natural resources.

Science – 7

250 minutes per week

Topics: Wetlands, forests, meadows, riparian areas: landforms, soils, hydrology, flora, fauna, chemical reactions, biochemistry, cells, genetics, evolution, diversity, cycles, ecosystems, motion and energy, waves.

Process: Students use observation, research skills, statistical analysis and field study of wetlands, forests, meadows, and riparian areas.  Study focuses on grasping the parts, processes and systems and developing an understanding of how they function.  Student experience may include analyzing soil samples, sampling water, assessing water quality, identifying native plant and animal species, calculating river channel capacity and calculating CO₂ uptake for a specific area of forest, and participation in an environmental action project at Eden Mill Nature Center.

Texts: AgriScience, 3^rd Edition, AgriScience & Technology Series, Interstate Publishers, Inc., 2003; Earth Science, Prentice Hall, 2003; Life Science, Prentice Hall, 2003;Physical Science, Prentice Hall, 2003.

Technology – 8: Deer Creek and the Chesapeake Bay Watersheds

Students examine the science behind identifying a complex environmental problem and developing effective solutions.

Science – 8

250 minutes per week

Topics: Pollution: chemistry, law of conservation of matter, atoms, molecules, compounds, mixtures, Periodic table, conduction, convection, radiation, physiology.  Infrastructure (power generation transportation systems, impervious surface and development): motion, forces, mass, weight, energy, gravitational force, speed and velocity.

Process: Students will become familiar with the parts, processes and systems of the Chesapeake Bay in general and will learn how it has become a threatened resource.  Students will then turn to Deer Creek watershed to examine land use and Chesapeake Bay Best Management Practices.  Student experience may include trips on a skipjack, Chesapeake Bay Foundation programs, visits to hydro-electric dams, local mills, Peach Bottom nuclear power plant, Calvert Cliffs, wastewater treatment facility, and participation in an environmental action project at Eden Mill Nature Center.

Texts: AgriScience, 3^rd Edition, AgriScience & Technology Series, Interstate Publishers, Inc., 2003; Earth Science, Prentice Hall, 2003; Life Science, Prentice Hall, 2003;Physical Science, Prentice Hall, 2003.