Economy or Ecology?

THE CHALLENGE: There are plans for developing a business and industrial park on a particular site in a local town, but before developers can proceed, they must determine whether the site is ecologically sensitive and in need of protection—or if plans for the commercial park can go forward.

ABOUT THE PROJECT: Over seven weeks, students will work in small teams to develop a site analysis, assess the site’s ecological status and health, and make a recommendation to a panel of experts responsible for deciding whether site development should go forward.

INTEGRATING NYS LEARNING STANDARDS & KEY IDEAS:

Ninth-grade math, science, geography and technology will be integrated into this project:

• Core Knowledge (Living Environment, Chemistry, and Math)

• Critical Thinking and Collaboration

• Information, Communication, Technology Literacy (GIS and other presentation software)

Students will learn from teachers, environmental scientists and others about stream-and-field monitoring techniques and will then set up their own stream-and-field monitoring system. This will involve basic biological and chemical analyses, organism analysis, photosynthetic evidence, presence of physical conditions of light intensity, temperature range, mineral availability and relative acidity.

BEYOND NYS STANDARDS: This project will go beyond state standards to get at the heart of how technology is actually being used to address significant issues in the real world.

BUSINESS PARTNERS & EMERGING TECHNOLOGIES: This project will be designed in partnership with experts from MapInfo Corporation in Troy, who use GIS (geographic information systems) technology daily as well as with other community partners, including environmental advocates, construction engineers, biologists and government agencies.

IT TOOLS FOR PROJECT PLANNING & COMPLETION: Assignments will be contained in a "project briefcase" (digital portfolios of all project materials) and will be accessible to students and parents at all times. These portfolios will include project calendars, important dates and deadlines, readings, assessment rubrics, GIS training schedules, student "contracts" for behavior and performance, and timelines for completion.

REAL-WORLD ASSESSMENT: The final project assessments will include student presentations of findings and recommendations to a panel of adults, including parents, teachers, developers and experts in environmental science, business and community issues. Students will defend their results and answer questions to determine their ability to use and explain what they know. They will also be evaluated on how well they are making progress toward achieving 21st century skills.

REAL-WORLD IMPLICATIONS: Students will share their research and recommendations with local decision-makers as part of the public dialogue on whether the town should allow the new business and industry park to be built on the site.