PBL: Colorado's Impact on Ocean Health
The Problem
Human activities have heavily affected oceans around the world. Our alterations of ocean ecosystems are impairing the ocean’s capacity to provide food, protect livelihoods, maintain clean water, and recover from environmental stresses like severe storms. Although you do not live near an ocean or beach, the environmental behaviors within your community still have a global impact.
Solutions
Students investigated problems occuring in the ocean. They defined the specific problem, determined how it relates to our actions in Colorado, and developed a realistic solution that will monitor and minimize human impact on the oceans. Students received feedback from environmental experts during their research and solution development process. They prepared to share their solution in the form of a "STEM talk" speech.
CDE STANDARDS
Science
GLE 6. Water cycles among land, ocean, and atmosphere, and is propelled by sunlight and gravity. Density variations of sea water drive interconnected ocean currents. Water movement causes weathering and erosion, changing landscape features.
GLE 7. Complex interactions determine local weather patterns and influence climate, including the role of the ocean.
GLE 10. Human activities have altered the biosphere, sometimes damaging it, although changes to environments can have different impacts for different living things.
GLE 11. Human activities affect global warming. Decisions to reduce the impact of global warming depend on understanding climate science, engineering capabilities, and social dynamics.
English Language Arts
Standard 1: Oral Expression & Listening
Standard 4: Research & Inquiry