Activities that monitor environments
Monitoring environments with students provides rich returns from the standpoint of curriculum, engagement and citizenship. The information collected, the interpretation of the data and the application of the collected information to an issue form the central rational for monitoring an environment.
Protocols are developed to repeatedly monitor environments in ways that provide useful information relatively free from bias. Understanding the rational behind the way the protocol is used to monitor an environment gives the observer a clearer sense of why and how to follow the protocol. This understanding also gives insights into how rigidly or flexibly the protocol needs to be followed. For example, development of new tools may enable the collection of the same kind of data using different methods.
In a number of cases, a group of protocols have been organized to examine broad topics such as the conditions and structure of a forest or an intertidal zone. A number of these groups of protocols have been organized for teachers on large single sheets. These are available in the resources sections.
Protocols are developed to repeatedly monitor environments in ways that provide useful information relatively free from bias. Understanding the rational behind the way the protocol is used to monitor an environment gives the observer a clearer sense of why and how to follow the protocol. This understanding also gives insights into how rigidly or flexibly the protocol needs to be followed. For example, development of new tools may enable the collection of the same kind of data using different methods.
In a number of cases, a group of protocols have been organized to examine broad topics such as the conditions and structure of a forest or an intertidal zone. A number of these groups of protocols have been organized for teachers on large single sheets. These are available in the resources sections.