Participating MVHS schools are using Stella, dynamic systems modeling software, to model seasonal and longterm effects of land use on water quality and species diversity. Data from stream monitoring, land use, weather and laboratory experiments will be incorporated into the stream model.
LINKS TO PARTICIPATING SCHOOLS
WATER QUALITY DATA
North East Stream Data
EPA Bay Program Data
USGS Water Flow Rates
Chesapeake Bay Observing System
(Data From Chesapeake Bay Bouys)
LAND USE & POPULATION DATA
OTHER RELATED SITES
Chesapeake Bay Web Site Links
(Links to Many Bay Related Sites - Maryland Sea Grant)
Chesapeake Bay Mouth Monitoring Project
Ecology Spreadsheets-Oxygen Prediction
U.S. Geological Survey
Arundel High School
Baltimore City College High School
Montgomery Blair High School--MVHS Home Base
James Bennett High School--Stream Data Page
Havre de Grace High School
Leonardtown High School
North East High School--Stream Project Page
Northern High School - Baltimore
Queen Anne's High School
Walkersville High School
Williamsport High School
STREAM MONITORING: In order to support the development of the computer model, participating schools across the state of Maryland are monitoring their nearby streams on a monthly basis. Students are using test kits and CBL probes to monitor various parameters which effect water quality.
DATA ANALYSIS: This data is being analyzed (graphing calculators, curve fitting software) in an attempt to determine mathematical models which describe the relationships between variables in the stream. Various simple laboratory experiments are being conducted in order to more clearly establish the mathematical relationships between variables in the stream e.g. the relationship between water temperature and dissolved oxygen. Land use data is being obtained from various agencies and incorporated into the model in such a way that each school can easily include land use patterns and changes particular to their own county or watershed. In some cases, when digital images are available, NIH image will be used to analyze watershed land use.
REFINING MODEL: The model is initially being developed to predict seasonal and longterm water quality fluctuations for the North East Creek. Data from other school's streams will be used to help develop a more general model for streams or at least one that can be adjusted to account for the individiual nature of each of the streams involved.
COLLABORATION with experts in the field from universities and state and local government agencies is being pursued for advice on modeling and data analysis. Regular communication between participating schools via e-mail, web pages and workshops foster collaborative problem solving and model development.
*Students receive an introduction to computer modeling.
*In the process of modeling a system, students become intimately aware of the interrelationship of various physical, chemical, biological and human factors in an ecosystem.
*Students find mathematical models which describe the relationships between factors in the ecosystem.
*Students gain experience in using technology; using CBL's and probes to monitor stream parameters and using computer software for data analysis, modeling and curve fitting.
* Science Skills and Processes: (quotes from Maryland CORE Science Goals)
By use of the various computer models students "will recognize that real problems have more than one solution...use accumulated evidence to modify or affirm scientific ideas...will identify and pose meaning answerable scientific questions...formulate and test a working hypothesis...will use relationships discovered in the laboratory to explain phenomena observed outside of the laboratory...defend the need for verifiable data...learn the use of new instruments and equipment...will compare data for two groups by representing their distribution graphically...will use graphs to determine the relationships between quantities and develop the mathematical model that describes these relationships...will use spreadsheets, graphing and data base programs and probeware on computers and/or graphing calculators...will use models in computer simulations to represent systems...will judge reasonableness of an answer...and they will apply the concepts of biology, chemistry, physics and earth science."
*Concepts of Biology: (quotes from Maryland CORE Science Goals)
Students will "formulate the relationships between biotic diversity and abiotic factors in the environment...investigate how natural and manmade changes in environmental conditions will effect individual organisms and the dynamics of populations."
*Suggested Student Products: Students, using Stella computer modeling software will develop and/or modify stream models. Students will design and post web pages to display project data tables, graphs, and computer models. These pages will be linked to many relevent web resources. A Quarterly Report of stream quality will be produced.