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In development.
prelab A
Hands-on Introduction to GIS
Students practice using Geographic Information System (GIS) the way Scientists do: to model the way variables in complex systems are inter-related. In pairs students work with overhead transparancies—each representing a separate data set correlated to geography—overlapping a satellite photo of a Queens neighborhood. Students solve a real-world problem by manipulating the layers of data and observing the patterns and correlations that emerge.
prelab B
Hands-on Introduction to Sedimentary Geology
lesson 1
Intro to the mystery & KWHL discussion
Students read emails detailing the facts of the mystery and create charts outlining what they Know (the Evidence) what they Want to know, How they will use the evidence to answer these questions, and leave space for filling in what they have Learned. Students open a .KMZ file in Google Earth, an example of GIS software, and familiarize themselves with the user interface. The .KMZ file shows USGS data on recent earthquakes. Students make generalizations about where earthquakes occur and why.
lesson 2
Earthquake Triangulation Using S & P waves
Students use Google Earth software to examine geo-referenced data sets from USGS remote sensing stations. They analyze the S & P waves recorded at each station to determine whether or not an earthquake did indeed occur at the time and place stipulated—I think I want to keep it in an exotic overseas locale—China.
lesson 3
Identifying Rocks/Soil Found Near Fossil
Samples of soil & rocks are overnighted to the lab by a colleague doing research nearby the site. Students examine the rocks to determine whether they are of the correct geological strata to contain fossils.
lesson 4
Relative Dating Part 1: Know Your Fossils
Students familiarize themselves with samples of index fossils.
lesson 5
Relative Dating Part 2: Compare Unknown to Known Fossils
Students compare fossils sent by colleague in china (in box with rocks and soil) with index fossils, and refer to fossil record in their Earth Science reference tables to determine whether the fossil is real or fake.
lesson 6
Preparing Evidence for Presentation to the Jury
Students gather all evidence into a multimedia presentation detailing their investigation.
