Posted in Ecosystems on the Edge, Environmental Films and Lectures, tagged Ecosystems on the Edge, SERC Home School Students on January 28, 2014| Leave a Comment »
The completed video projects of the home school students in the SERC “Ecosystems on the Edge Documentary Class” are now available online, with the exception of one video that will be posted on March 5th. Please visit SERC’s “Shorelines Blog” to read the article and watch their videos. They did a great job!
Posted in Ecosystems on the Edge, SERC Home School Class Registration, tagged Home school classes ages 13-16, Spring class sign up on January 10, 2014| 2 Comments »
Thursday, January 16th
2-3 pm
Reed Center Classroom (FREE)
Students from the documentary class will show their final projects (8-10 minutes) and discuss the challenges and successes during their film making process. These video are inspired by the Ecosystems on the Edge documentary series, newly released, about SERC research. Please come to support the students!
Instructor: Karen McDonald, Education Outreach Coordinator
Registration will begin on February 7th at 9 am.
Course Information
This course is designed as an introduction to core laboratory techniques, familiarity with laboratory equipment such as scales, compound microscopes, slide making, flasks, graduate cylinders, and pipettes. We will also cover lab etiquette, safety, and experimental design. Students will create a project based on fresh water ecosystems and they will analyze water samples, plankton communities, micro, and macro invertebrates, and landscape topography (using Google Earth) for a comparative study of habitats. Data will be taken in the field and samples brought back to the lab for analysis.
Course times: Every other Thursday, 1:30-3:30 pm every other week (March 6th-May 21st)
NOTE: Students are required to register for the entire block of courses below. Due to the nature of this course class material builds upon each subject. If students miss a class it will be incumbent upon them to make up materials with their instructor. Due to the nature of lab work students may be asked to come in between classes to analyze samples before they deteriorate or expire.
Registration: The cost for 7 classes and lab materials is $165.
Texts and Supplies: Students will be provided with a list of supplies to bring to class, such as a field backpack, markers, baggies, etc upon registration. However, they must have a “Student Lab Notebook” with permanent binding, from Hayden McNeil: (100 or 50 page count). This can be found on Amazon for ($16-$18) http://www.amazon.com/Student-Lab-Notebook-Carbonless-Duplicate/dp/1930882505/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1389275392&sr=8-2&keywords=student+lab+notebook+with+permanent+binding
March 6th- Introduction to a Laboratory Setting
In this class students will be introduced to the proper safety in a lab, laboratory equipment (scales, flasks, graduated cylinders, pipettes, etc.), and lab etiquette. We will be working in the new building/lab space (if construction permits) on the main campus.
March 20th– How to Write Lab Reports and Choosing Projects
Students will be introduced to how to write lab reports and record data. They will also consider possible projects and decide on a hypothesis to test.
April 3rd– Preparing Slides, Microscopes, and Setting up the Lab
Students will be introduced to using compound microscopes, their settings, maintenance, and care. We’ll also practice preparing glass slides with cover slips and making observations. Part of the class will be dedicated to setting up the lab in preparation for data collection and analysis.
April 17th– Field Study, Data Collection, and Lab Work (Aquatic Ecosystems)
We will journey into the field to collect samples of water, soil, micro and macro invertebrates (possibly plants) from local fresh water bodies of water. Afterwards we’ll return to the lab for processing.
May 1st– Laboratory Analysis and Field Study Continued
Students will continue sample collection processing, writing reports, and preparing for their final paper and presentation.
May 8th– How to Present a Scientific Paper
In this class we’ll discuss how to properly write and present a scientific paper, the guidelines for presenting, and best practices. We will try to hone student’s confidence and public speaking skills. [Students turn in lab report]
May 22nd – Final Project Paper Presentation
The final presentation of research papers will be open to parents and families. Students will present their findings and turn in a final research paper.
Thursday, January 16th
2-3 pm
Reed Center Classroom (FREE)
Students from the documentary class will show their final projects and discuss their challenges and successes during the film making process. These video are inspired by the Ecosystems on the Edge documentary series, newly released, about SERC research. Please come to support the students!
Posted in Ecosystems, Ecosystems on the Edge, Watersheds, tagged Ecosystems on the Edge, SERC Science, Watersheds on October 26, 2013| Leave a Comment »
If you missed the Ecosystems on the Edge Block1: Class 3 class due to the government shut down please remember to either sign up for one of the alternate dates next week or e-mail me no later than 10/30 for a refund.
We will be offering two make-up dates for the class, on Thursday, October 31st and Friday, November 1st at the normal times (9-10 am for 5-7 yr. olds on both dates, 10:30am-Noon both dates, and 1:30-3 pm on Thursday only).
You may sign up online at: www.SignUpGenius.com/go/10C0D4DACAB2CA7FA7-make. If you have questions contact me McDonaldK@si.edu.
Vocabulary:
Pre-Class Materials
All Ages:
Do you know the watershed you live in? Kids will need adult help for this page, but it’s neat to find out what watershed you live in or on: http://water.epa.gov/type/watersheds/address.cfm
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y1SQIh0KGsc here’s a short video (3 min) that clearly defines a watershed.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oaDkph9yQBs this is a good video from NASA (5:53) concerning the water cycle.
http://ga.water.usgs.gov/edu/watercycle-kids-int.html use your mouse to “mouse around” the watershed in this graphic, and learn how water cycles. Spend some quality time reading and learning about the different steps! (For 5-7 year old students use the beginner page: http://ga.water.usgs.gov/edu/watercycle-kids-beg.html )
5-7 yr. olds
This is a good place to begin talking about the water cycle: http://www.kidzone.ws/water/ along with coloring pages at the bottom. Kids can color and assemble the water cycle.
OPTIONAL
If you’d like to try to make an indoor water cycle, here is a short video with instructions: http://www.neok12.com/php/watch.php?v=zX744c6f0d0261495f70537f&t=Water-Cycle
Here are two optional quizzes for older students (suggested 3rd-7th grade) concerning the water cycle:
http://www.neok12.com/quiz/WATCYC01 and http://www.neok12.com/quiz/WATCYC03 and the “Where does water go” quiz: http://www.neok12.com/quiz/WATCYC02.
JUST IN CASE:
If you were not able to watch the Ecosystems on the Edge video about Blue Crabs, from the 2nd class, here is a direct link: http://ecosystemsontheedge.org/top-predator/
Posted in Ecosystems, Ecosystems on the Edge, tagged Ecosystems on the Edge, invertebrates on September 5, 2013| 4 Comments »
Fall is in the air and it’s time to start planning for the start of classes next week. The Ecosystems on the Edge and Chesapeake Bay Student Documentary Course begin September 11th and 12th. Please remember the following:
Here are some pre-class materials to help your student(s) prepare for the classes. These materials are not required but strongly suggested as pre-or post class support for the student’s classes.
Vocabulary:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=In1Foq4l43A this video is a great introduction to macroinvertebrates and how they are sampled.
http://www.delawareriverguide.net/insects/nymphid.html this web page is a good start for learning the anatomy and movement of different types of aquatic insects.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_V2_aWmjpow (3:45) here is a video about caddis flies. They are fascinating creatures that have a unique larval stage that builds its own cocoon-like shell out of pebbles, sticks, stones, and more.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UFlrJlz7AV4 (4:12) a short video showing a dragonfly nymph feeding. Note the dragonfly nymphs large scooping mouth parts, which are very different from their insect chewing mandibles when they are adults.
OPTIONAL ASSIGNMENT: Use The Trout.com aquatic insect encyclopedia to draw at least three different aquatic insects: http://www.troutnut.com/hatches. The drawings should be at least 1/3 of a page and clearly labeled. You do not need to turn these in, they are for your notebooks.
http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_g_Vi87t0Zm8/TEKX44JADOI/AAAAAAAAEOA/_j-0KDkiGx0/s1600/Aquatic_Insect_Orders_elder.jpg Here is a good coloring page graphic.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZfxOns-Pr38 (14:20) Part 1, This is a series of two videos about aquatic invertebrates. It’s a bit advanced but worth watching. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FOsKyvZvb6g (11:05) Part 2.
Please remember that before class all students must have a copy of “Shut up and Shoot, Documentary Guide” by Anthony Q. Artis. This is available in hardcover or E-book.
Before the first class students should read Chapter 1″Getting Started” and “Getting the Idea.”
Students should also watch the following videos from the Ecosystems on the Edge series (http://ecosystems.serc.si.edu/):
While watching the videos students should take notes about each and then rank the videos, 1-4, as to which they are most inspired by or most interested in. Bring these notes to class.
On the first day of class students should dress nicely because we will have a guest speaker, one of the producers from the Smithsonian Channel coming to class to speak and start us with some exercises. Nice dress would include slacks, collared shirts, or skirts. Students will be expected to take notes during the presentation as well.
SERC Home School 
