Objectives:
Identify multiple living and nonliving things that contribute to the local ecosystem.
Concept map how these things are interrelated.
Use a camera to record data and a computer to upload their data to the Project Noah site.
Goals:
To introduce students to the living and nonliving things in their local area
To allow students to practice observation and data recording skills
To use the web resource Project Noah as a tool to document wildlife and introduce the concept of citizen science
Select an outdoor area that will become the field site.
This can be a playground, a local park, or your backyard. It needs to be a location you can easily get to multiple times.
When you are at your field site record observations on paper,as well as take photographs using a digital camera or smartphone.
Record the living things you see, as well as the nonliving things you think are part of the ecosystem.
You may work in pairs.
Visit your field site multiple times to get a better idea of the organisms that might live there. For example, squirrels might not be present on field visit one, but you may see squirrels when you go back a second time. Similarly water may be present on some days, but not others depending on the location and climate.
Upload photos to the Project Noah site.
Identify the living things found. Some organisms, like a Turkey Vulture might be easier to identify, whereas others, like certain types of plants or birds, might be more challenging. Nature guides can help to identify organisms.
After you have completed identifying the organisms the best you can, have them begin to link the living and nonliving things to create a visual representation of the ecosystem. The representation could include predator/prey relationships, different trophic levels, etc. This can be done using drawings, printed photographs, or on the computer. The representation should include labels and appropriate scientific vocabulary to help explain the visuals.
Mission Wall