An example lesson that may be used by teachers to introduce Mappler’s applications to their classrooms:
Example 1: Pollution Markers (students can record actual data, or the following can be used as a hypothetical situation):
On the way to school, students notice that a particular pond that they play near is becoming more and more dirty. Over the past few weeks, the water has gone from dark blue to green and brown, and typical wildlife such as birds and fish have disappeared. The students wonder what has brought about the change. The students go out and mark all of the potential hazards surrounding the pond.
Possible hazards around the pond
Discussion points to direct discussion of how each hazard could contribute to the condition of the pond:
- What are the consequences of each hazard?
- How could you prevent these hazards from affecting the pond?
- Are these hazards related to each other?
- What will happen if no one protects the pond?
Activity for hypothetical situation:
1.) Instruct the students to divide into groups of 4-5 (?) people to create an Action Plan that will save the pond. They must have:
- A way to deal with each problem found
- Set goals to improve the lake’s condition
- A way of monitoring their progress
- Possible methods of preventing the same pollution from happening again
2.) Bring the students together and have them present their proposals.
3.) After each group’s presentation, have their classmates provide them with constructive feedback.
4.) At the end of the activity, have students vote the best presentation and award that group.
Activity for recording actual data:
Materials:
-Empty gallon container
-6 quart sized containers
-5 Water testing kits (they can be found by googling: water testing kit)
-5 posters
-5 sets of markers and color pencils
-5 sets of computers and printers
-10 pairs of scissors
Before Class:
-Teach students the effects of different concentrations of nitrates, hardness/ pH/ alkalinity, chlorine, iron, and copper in the water samples on pond specimen.
1.) Travel to a nearby pond that is abnormally lacking wildlife for a sample of water.
2.) Divide the class into groups of 4-5
4.) At the classroom, divide the water into 6 separate containers for each group, and one for the teacher
5.) Use your water testing kits to test the concentrations of nitrates, hardness/ pH/ alkalinity, chlorine, iron, and copper in the water samples.
6.) Have the students discuss among themselves of the possible causes of the lack of wildlife near the pond.
7.) Have students create a poster of their finds, organize their results in data tables and construct graphs.
8.) Instruct the students to include an Action Plan that will save the pond. They must have:
- A way to deal with each problem found
- Set goals to improve the lake’s condition
- A way of monitoring their progress
- Possible methods of preventing the same pollution from happening again
9.) Bring the students together and have them present their proposals.
10.) After each group’s presentation, have their classmates provide them with constructive feedback.
11.) At the end of the activity, have students vote the best presentation and award that group.
12.) Average the classes data, and map it into a Mappler Jr. account.
13.) Encourage students interested in water conservation to independently test water samples and map them! Educate them of the applications of doing such activities.
Another excellent model lesson plan can be seen at: http://teacherweb.com/NM/BosqueSchool/MrAllen-MathScience/h1.stm
