10th grade students in Molly Ravitz’s class are using a unit developed by local teachers around local phenomenon. Students are testing out their lab design to investigate the insulating properties of snow and its effect of sub-talus temperature in the winter in order to conclude how a decreased snowpack might negatively impact pika habitat. Students filled cups with hot water to simulate pika heat, and placed them underneath a plastic bin with a thermometer sticking out to measure the air temperature in the bin. For their experimental setup, they buried the plastic bin under a mound of snow. Data showed a huge difference in temperature between the two set ups: the buried “environment” stayed warmer for each trial, proving that snow traps heat beneath it.
Students Take to the Landscape to Learn About Stewardship, Scientific Fieldwork, and Careers in Their Communities
Feet were running, students were talking, the sun was shining as over 400 students made their way to the big tents to kick off their STEAM in the Field events at various locations across north central Washington. This is the fourth year that NCESD has been able to...