Environmental & Ecology Science
To schedule a visit, drop off or for additional questions, please contact Leslie Leckvarcik (814-641-3665 or email).
| Environmental & Ecology |
Soil organisms and the Berlese Funnel Revised January 14, 2008 : This is a convenient method for collecting and extracting small invertebrate animals from soil and decomposing litter. A rich mix of species, many barely visible to the naked eye, can be found in most soils. In our case, this exercise will serve as a demonstration of soil biodiversity, for display in laboratory classes |
| Exploring Groundwater: Use the ground water model (a large plastic container that simulates ground water infiltration and flow) to explain and predict the flow of ground water. Includes curriculum materials: All supplies necessary to conduct the groundwater experiments. |
| Porosity of Soils and Water Flow: This lab has students measure the amount of water absorbed by three different types of soil. |
What is the Dirt on Soil: This lab is designed for soil texture comparison, including gravel, sand, silt, and clay. |
| Physical
Properties of a Stream: This lab is designed
to be done at streamside to measure flow rate, and physical
properties of a stream and riparian zone. Any or all of the
following equipment may be used for this lab: Equipment for
measuring flow of the stream, pollution and normal chemical
values of a stream with the HACH Kit. *Activities available include the following: • Intro to HACH • Teachers' Notes • Dissolved Oxygen • Carbon Dioxide • Ferrover Powder Pillows • Iron Content • Nitrate Content • pH • Phosphate Content • Sulfate Content • Total Hardness • First Set of Directions • Second Set of Directions • Third Set of Directions •
Oakton pH pens |
| Stream in a Bucket : Macroinvertebrate life and other inhabitants of streams are identified to calculate a cumulative index value, stream quality assessment, and a pollution tolerance index. |
Watersheds with the Enviroscape Watershed Model: This model of a watershed is complete with trees to simulate a riparian zone. Point and nonpoint source pollution can be illustrated. Kit comes with Instruction manual with 12 activities and all materials necessary to perform activities. There is also a lab on watershed delination. |
| Trouble in Fruitvale: The study of groundwater contamination SEPUP Kit comes with an activity manual with 12 activities and all chemicals and supplies necessary for activities. |
| Soil Texture: The purpose of this lab activity is to determine the amount of clay, silt, and sand particles in a given soil. Soil class will be determined, based on the USDA soil survey manual. |
| Discovering Soil: Examine the chemical properties of soil as well as the physical properties associated with the soil profile. Students learn to identify various types of soil. The following items are included in this kit: LaMotte Complete Soil Analysis including Nitrogen, potassium, phosphorous, pH and soil Probe21" Regular, sorting sieves, Soil Analysis Field Guide, Geotechnical Gauge, Sand Grain Sizing Folder, Sand Gauge, USDA Soil Flow Chart. |
| Can’t See the Forest for the Trees: Identify trees of PA, measure the age and growing condition, diameter or height and board feet of trees, and identify the major pests of trees. Kits includes: Tree Identification manuals, Biltmore sticks, Tree and Log Scales, 100 ft. measuring tape, Tree Calipers, Activity Manual. Inquire to find out the availability of tree samples for growth rings, common pests of trees. |
| Kill-a-watt: Calculate your individual effect on the environment by calculating the impact of your lifestyle by everyday energy usage. Compare the overall energy usage of Americans to other people of the world. Included with this kit: 1) Kill-a-watt meter (calculates the wattage used by various light bulbs); 2) New energy efficient light bulbs (fluorescent); 3) Chart (wheel) of typical water consumption; and 4) Information about typical electrical energy per appliance. |
| Owl Pellets: Owl pellets are dissected and bones of prey are identified. Discuss predator prey relationships, food chains and food webs, as well as anatomy and niches. |
Populations
and Ecosystems: Foss Kit with 10 activities: Habitat,
Ecosystems and populations, Miniecosystems, Monolake (functional
roles of 12 organisms in an alkaline lake ecosystem), Finding
the energy, Population size, Ecoscenarios, Adaptations,
Genetic variation, and Natural selection •Among
The Wild Chimpanzees (Jane Goodall) |
Environmental
Videos: All five modules of the EnviroTacklebox video
series. They come with worksheets and activities. Click
here to view the EnviroTacklebox website. Some of the
modules include the following. |
Symmetry in Nature Revised January 14, 2008 Symmetry in Nature -Teacher Notes This experiment explores the concept of symmetry in animals and plants. Symmetry and ecology are closely associated in living creatures |
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