Classroom Lesson Materials

Education Materials : Classroom Lesson Materials

Everglades

Everglades Learning Materials

One of EarthEcho’s most rigorous and ongoing projects is the creation of learning materials for classroom teachers and students that focus on the development of skills necessary to conduct scientific investigation and understanding the role of science in society. These materials explore contemporary scientific investigation related to the featured topic, describe relevant and current scientific research in relatable terms, and showcase true stories of individuals and community groups who have had positive impacts in restoring ecological balance.

One such example of these materials is being used to teach students about human interaction with the water cycle through the lens of the Everglades and the Comprehensive Everglades Restoration Project (CERP) restoration efforts. These Everglades-specific source materials place a particular emphasis on:

  • The availability of water in terms of quantity, distribution and timing in South Florida;
  • The impact of human development (industrial, agricultural, community infrastructure, etc.) on the quality, quantity, distribution, and timing of water in South Florida, and the resulting impact on the natural balance of local ecosystems in the KOE watershed;
  • How technology solutions, such as CERP, can be applied to positively impact/restore balance to an ailing system.

These lessons are intended to compliment existing curriculum rather than replace it. Detailed information about the Everglades appears in articles, data sets, maps, and other resources students use as they develop critical understandings and practice using the skills essential to conducting scientific investigation. The overarching structure of the lesson plans is designed to:

  • Help students explore how issues of resource consumption, allocation, preservation, and management are relevant and important to them in their daily lives;
  • Emphasize active involvement/engagement/support for behaviors (individual and collective) that are consistent with sustainability of resources and systems;
  • Create a bridge to other curriculum subjects by emphasizing the social context of real-world applications of scientific investigation and technology design in a manner that supports cross-curricular instruction.