6-8th

6th GRADE PROGRAM OFFERINGS

Soil Computer Lab

Learning Objective: Students learn about mapping soils by using the Web Soil Survey to access geological and properties of soil types.
Activity: Students learn about soil types around them, reasons to study soil, and become scientists by mapping soil with the on-line Web Soil Survey. **Suggested that students have access to individual computers

Soil Testing

Learning Objective: Students use a dichotomous key to test soil.
Activity: Students become soil scientists by investigating and testing soil properties with a dichotomous key.

Soil Horizons

Learning Objective: Investigate the different soil horizons while comparing the mineral composition; realize our need for soil conservation.
Activity: Students focus on the layers found in soil and glue soil horizons on a card take home.

Rock Cycle Game

Learning Objective: Rocks form in different ways and have specific properties.
Activity: Students become minerals in the rock cycle and learn about everyday uses of rocks and minerals.

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7TH GRADE PROGRAM OFFERINGS

Macroinvertebrate Mayhem

Learning Objective: Students will draw conclusions about how water quality influences diversity of populations of macroinvertebrates and will relate how population diversity provides insight into the health of an ecosystem
Activity: Students play a game of tag to simulate the effects of environmental stressors on macroinvertebrate populations.

Hydrological Cycle

Learning Objective: Students learn about the hydraulic cycle, pollution, and problems as pollution can move through the water cycle.
Activity: Students map their journey in the water cycle with beads and learn about water quality issues that are happening around Ohio.

Groundwater Model

Learning Objective: Water is collected, stored and removed in groundwater as well as pollution that can contaminate water.
Activity: A groundwater model is used to show how water flows through rock and what can contaminate the water.

Stream Field Trip

Learning Objective: Students learn about water quality by doing the following tests: pH, phosphate, nitrate, and macroinvertebrate collecting.
Activity: Students walk (or are bused) to a local stream to do water quality testing.

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8TH GRADE PROGRAM OFFERINGS

Geology Table

Learning Objective: Students learn about different geological process and how a combination of constructive and destructive processes shape Earth's surface.
Activity: Students observe geological formations through an interactive sand table.

Bottleneck Genes

Learning Objective: Students learn about genetic diversity within a population.
Activity: Students do an activity calculating genetic diversity in a population and track changes in that population.

Topographic Maps

Learning Objective: Learn about geologic history, including processes like glacial movement that changed the Earth’s surface.
Activity: Students analyze a topographic map of their school’s location and conduct an activity with contour lines.

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