1. ALTERNATIVE PROJECT
STUDY SITE

2. 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.

3. 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

4. Study Site Project
10 meter by 10 meter plot

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

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

7. 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?

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

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

10. Ant density is higher on the leaf litter/grass margin

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

14. 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