Using Project EDDIE modules in Earth Science

Greg Reiva, St. Thoms the Apostle School

About this Course

Earth Science

Lecture and Lab

22

students in the course

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6th grade Earth Science class.

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The goal of the course is for students to learn the different systems and cycles that define our planet structure and life supporting ecosystems.
The cycles include the water, carbon and mineral cycles. The structure us defined by plate tectonics and other go logical events.

The course is driven by students applying their knowledge and skill in Earth Science to help solve problems associated with growing food, safeguarding fresh water and protection of local ecosystems (land, water and air).

EDDIE Module(s) Adopted and/or Adapted

Green Infrastructure/Green Roofs module

The Green Infrastructure Project was a hands-on and project-based educational initiative that challenges students to utilize their skills and abilities to solve real-world problems.

The sixth grade Earth Science Students learn the nature of the many planetary cycles. The goal is to take this understanding and apply it to the solving of problems within our local ecosystem in real-time.

The real-time data aspect of the Green Infrastructure Project lends well to the learning objective to analysis events and to develop solutions to known problems.

Six groups of students (3 to 4 in each group) were assigned a specific square kilometer area in the community to research and to develop the means to increase runoff infiltration.

Jump to: Course Context | Teaching Details | How It Went | Future Use

Relationship of EDDIE Module(s) to my Course

The EDDIE Module was a summative project where students could use what they have learned about Earth's water cycle and the application of the scientific method that they have worked during the school year to now solve real-world problems.

Teaching Details

I used the Green Infrastructure curriculum resources as a summative project. I assigned students into groups, and they performed research, brainstormed ideas, created PowerPoint Presentations to express these ideas and eventually produced a final essay document from each group on their solutions to the problem.

How did the activity go?

The outcomes achieved were extraordinary. Students, working in groups, developed solutions to help the city of Crystal Lake increase the level of infiltration of runoff water into the future.

Specific areas of the city were researched, and specific recommendations were made to help store more fresh water from precipitation into the future.

Students took away from this experience a greater understanding and appreciation for fresh water. Their level of self-confidence and analytical abilities to solve problems was increased.

Students were able to develop their interpersonal relationship skills and abilities to work in groups, brainstorm ideas, share experiences and to develop a consensus of best possible solutions to a known problem.

Future Use

This instructor story and adaption materials were developed during a Project EDDIE Faculty Mentoring Network in partnership with QUBES in the spring of 2023.

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