Foos, A.and Smith, Forrest, 1999, Ecology of Disturbed Lands; An Interdisciplinary, Inquiry-based Field-laboratory Course. Geological Society of America Abstracts with Programs, v 31, No. 7, p. A212

ABSTRACT

An interdisciplinary, inquiry-based field-laboratory course titled the Ecology of Disturbed Lands has been developed for middle-school science teacher preparation. The course is offered by the Center for Environmental Studies at the University of Akron. It was designed to address the Ohio Department of Education, 6th Grade Science Learning Outcomes with the primary purpose being to demonstrate the Nature of Science by engaging students in scientific inquiry. General topics such as mining, mine reclamation, ecosystems, biodiversity and soil formation were covered by a combination of lectures, reading assignments, guided inquiry, and collaborative learning activities. Students learned how to measure soil chemical and physical properties, identify trees using a dichotomous key, and calculate a biodiversity index through hands-on activities. 50% of the course was devoted to a research project where students proposed a hypothesis, developed a research plan, collected and analyzed real word data, and presented the final results.
Specific course objectives were: 1. To gain an understanding of ecosystems, particularly the relationship between the abiotic and biotic components of the system. 2. To learn how to describe and measure pH, conductivity and select macronutrients of a soil, and how to identify plants using a dichotomous key. 3. To learn how to determine biodiversity by measuring the diversity index. 4. To gain an understanding of the scientific method by conducting a research project where students propose and test a hypothesis. 5. Gain an appreciation for how science can be used to solve technological problems for the benefit of society.