Dead Zones baMEL

The Dead Zones baMEL asks students to investigate whether and how aquatic dead zones may be repaired. A dead zone is an area of water that is low in oxygen. Aquatic life cannot survive in a dead zone.

Below are links to resources that will help students use the Dead Zones baMEL and learn more about fundamental scientific principles of dissolved oxygen, nutrient use, and human activity.

Overview

This slide deck provides an introduction to the Dead Zones build-a-MEL (baMEL). It is useful even if you are using the Dead Zones pcMEL with your students. The primary difference between the pcMEL and the baMEL is that with the pcMEL students are given two models and four lines of evidence in a preconstructed diagram where as with the baMEL students choose two models from three and select four lines of evidence from eight to create their own MEL diagram.

MEL Activity: Dead Zones baMEL front slide

  • MEL Activity: Dead Zones baMEL (Acrobat (PDF) 1.9MB Jul25 24)

    • Next Generation Science Standards Performance Expectations

    MS-ESS3-2: Earth and Human Activity

    • Analyze and interpret data on natural hazards to forecast future catastrophic events and inform the development of technologies to mitigate their effects.

    HS-ESS3-4: Earth and Human Activity

    • Use a model to describe how variations in the flow of energy into and out of Earth systems result in changes in climate.

    The Models

    Model A: We should balance the use of nutrients in agriculture and communities. It is important to eliminate dead zones and the damage they cause.
    Model B: Agricultural science and engineering solutions can reduce the damage caused by nutrients use. This can reduce the impacts caused by dead zones.
    Model C: The use of nutrients that create dead zones can provide benefits that make up for the harm they cause.

    Student Handouts


    Digital Resources

    What is a Dead Zone?


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