Preservation issues: Competing interests
http://www.nationalgeographic.com/xpeditions/lessons/06/g68/molson.html
A lesson plan for grades 6–8 Science
In this lesson, students explore scientist, Mark Olson’s efforts to identify extinct or nearly extinct plants, and consider the issues surrounding conservation efforts in a variety of contexts. Activities in this lesson engage students in small group collaboration, online research, and editorial writing assignments.
Students will:
- learn about the life and work of Mark Olson;
- explain how Olson’s cultural and life experiences influence his perceptions of plants and plant study;
- identify the cultural and experiential influences on people’s perceptions of tropical regions and their plant life; and
- compare and contrast information on conservation and agriculture to form an opinion about how to resolve a specific conflict over plant preservation.
Xpeditions provides detailed instructions for completing the lesson, suggestions for assessment and extension activities, and links to helpful maps and web resources.
North Carolina Curriculum Alignment
Science (2005)
Grade 6
- Goal 3: The learner will build an understanding of the geological cycles, forces, processes, and agents which shape the lithosphere.
- Objective 3.06: Evaluate ways in which human activities have affected Earth's pedosphere and the measures taken to control the impact:
- Vegetative cover.
- Agriculture.
- Land use.
- Nutrient balance.
- Soil as a vector.
- Objective 3.08: Conclude that the good health of environments and organisms requires:
- Monitoring of the pedosphere.
- Taking steps to maintain soil quality.
- Stewardship.
- Objective 3.06: Evaluate ways in which human activities have affected Earth's pedosphere and the measures taken to control the impact:
Grade 7
- Goal 3: The learner will conduct investigations and utilize appropriate technologies and information systems to build an understanding of the atmosphere.
- Objective 3.03: Conclude that the good health of environments and organisms requires:
- The monitoring of air quality.
- Taking steps to maintain healthy air quality.
- Stewardship.
- Objective 3.04: Evaluate how humans impact air quality including:
- Air quality standards
- Point and non-point sources of air pollution in North Carolina.
- Financial and economic trade-offs.
- Local air quality issues.
- Objective 3.03: Conclude that the good health of environments and organisms requires:
Grade 8
- Goal 3: The learner will conduct investigations and utilize appropriate technologies and information systems to build an understanding of the hydrosphere.
- Objective 3.07: Describe how humans affect the quality of water:
- Point and non-point sources of water pollution in North Carolina.
- Possible effects of excess nutrients in North Carolina waters.
- Economic trade-offs.
- Local water issues.
- Objective 3.08: Recognize that the good health of environments and organisms requires:
- Monitoring of the hydrosphere.
- Water quality standards.
- Methods of water treatment.
- Maintaining safe water quality.
- Stewardship.
- Objective 3.07: Describe how humans affect the quality of water:
