ALTERNATIVE PROJECT STUDY SITE

Begin with an Ill-Structured and “messy” problem How do the living and non-living components of the environment relate to each other? The study site project addresses the importance of an actual 3-D experience to a 2-D virtual experience when learning GIS.

Skillful Problem Solving Why is there a problem? Background What is the problem? Problem Question What are the possible Hypothesis/ solutions to the problem? Procedure What would happen if you solved the problem in Data/Results this way? What is the best solution? If you did this again how Conclusion would you do it differently? Infusing the Teaching of Critical and Creative Thinking Into Content Instruction R. Swartz and S. Parks, 1994

Study Site Project 10 meter by 10 meter plot

Collect data using established procedures on: Animals Abiotic Trees Pitfall Traps Vegetation/ Ground Cover

Digitizing to Create a Group Project Add Event Theme and Digitizing to Create a Group Project

Develop Individual Procedure and collect data use Problem-Solving Graphic Organizer to Formulate Problem Question Is plant stand affected by soil type? What type of relationship exists between the trees and ground cover, and the presence or absence of various animals? Which variables we studied within our study site are most conductive to a higher spider population? Does baiting the pitfall traps increase the number and diversity of numbers of animals that are attracted to or fall into the traps?

Greater numbers and a higher diversity of insects were found in sunny, grassy areas

More spiders were found on loamy moist soil in the leaf litter

Ant density is higher on the leaf litter/grass margin

Plant (corn) stands were significantly higher in Ponzer soil than Arapahoe and Dragston

Survey of project choice April 8 Miniproject due April 15 Due dates: Survey of project choice April 8 Miniproject due April 15 Group alternative project with individual procedure due April 24 Final project or alternative project due May 13