Lake in Crisis

The following lesson plan represents a unique way to engage students in real world science through community related issues. The severe drought in Georgia coupled with a population explosion in many counties has brought water quality issues to the forefront of everyone’s daily lives. My students have realized that their existence relies upon the very lake that covers the land in North Georgia. They feel that they can make a difference through good water quality testing and through the creation of an outdoor classroom from which to educate their peers as well as others in the community. On a more personal level, the project is important to me because many of my students, most of whom will spend the rest of their lives living here in North Georgia, have taken the water crisis to heart and feel that with the proper resources they can make a difference. Furthermore, I was excited to discover that several of my students also take a construction course at the high school. I, as well as the construction instructor, created this project with hopes that it will be a great ongoing, long-term, interdisciplinary unit of study that incorporates students from all grade levels, socio-economic backgrounds, and academic areas. These students will further test the lake as well as the local tributaries that flow into it. Several students are even interested in testing local poultry plants which dot the area around the lake. The environmental science students as well as those who have become members in the environmental club will further analyze the water quality data, indicate trends, predict future trends, indicate possible solutions, and create presentations to help educate the community about the importance of water conservation in a time when environmental issues are at the forefront of every growing community.
Plan of Action:
Use local media to look at environmental issues that are occuring within the community.
Allow students to analyze one particular issue and develop an action plan that can be presented through various forms of technology.
Students can break up into teams to collect, analyze, and present data to local officials and community leaders.