LabLearner—The Science of Learning
LabLearner—The Science of Learning

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Watersheds

Investigation 3 – PreLab

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Back to Investigation 3

ZERO-IN

The italicized font represents information to be shared orally or physically completed with the students at this time.

The non-italicized font represents additional information included supporting the teacher’s understanding of the content being introduced within the CELL.

ASK WHY

Remind students that they are part of a watershed, and everything they do on the surface affects the water in their creeks and rivers, thus affecting the water they drink and the water for all living creatures within them.

BRANCH OUT

Remind students that groundwater hydrologists study water that’s found below the earth’s surface. They study the sustainability, reliability, quality, and quantity of the groundwater. Their research may be used to help people decide where they should pump water from. It also helps people decide where they should put waste disposal facilities, so the groundwater isn’t negatively impacted.

GET FOCUSED

Inform students that the Investigation is designed to help them to answer the following Focus Question:

  • How do the abiotic factors of temperature, water velocity, salinity, and dissolved oxygen affect a watershed? Dissolved oxygen increases with decreasing temperature, decreasing salinity, and increasing water velocity.

Note: This question is located in students’ SDRs at the beginning and end of the Investigation.

Note: This is a succinct response to the Focus Question and is placed here for your reference at this time. A fully developed response to the Focus Question can be found on the PostLab page.

GO DEEPER

As a class, read the Background(s) in the Investigation. Have students read the information aloud or silently to themselves. When students have finished, discuss the following concepts as a class:

  • Two more abiotic factors that have an impact on watersheds are temperature and dissolved oxygen.
  • Depending on the season, the temperature of the water can change greatly in a watershed over the course of a year.
  • Water temperature affects the types of organisms that can live and reproduce in areas of the watershed.
  • Oxygen gas in water is called dissolved oxygen (DO).
  • The amount of dissolved oxygen in water determines what kind of fish and other organisms live in the water.
  • The amount of dissolved oxygen in water can be measured with a tool called an Oxygen Meter.
  • All water in a watershed eventually leads to the ocean. The area where this occurs is called an estuary.
  • In estuaries, the saltwater of the ocean mixes with freshwater from streams and rivers.
  • Salinity is the amount of dissolved salts in water.

Note: These concepts are integrated into the Background(s) and are used to deepen students’ comprehension of the big ideas.

 

LEARN THE LabLearner LINGO

The following list includes Key Terms that are introduced in the Investigation Background(s). They should be used, as appropriate, by teachers and students during everyday classroom discourse.

  • Estuary
  • Salinity

Note: Definitions to these terms can be found on the Introduction page to the CELL.

Note: Additional words may be bolded within the Background(s). These words are not Key Terms and are strictly emphasized for exposure at this time.

SET FOR SUCCESS

  • Play the video below. Stop to ask students questions or answer students’ questions when necessary. Remind students to follow along with their SDRs and make any notes that they think might be helpful.
  • After the video, direct students to divide into their lab groups to discuss their strategy for the lab. For example, they may assign certain group members to perform specific functions during the lab.

Note: The purpose of the video is to allow students to anticipate the laboratory experience they will soon encounter. Students should leave this PreLab session with a firm idea of what to expect and how to perform in the lab.

Note: Homework is posted below the video.

 

HOMEWORK

Tell students that they should review the Investigation in preparation for the Lab.