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Topics for debate and relevant issues.....

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terriphill

Darth Vader
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Its that time again...another school year is coming to a close which means I have 6 weeks to plan for next year's topics and lessons. The course is called "Planet Earth" It has no textbook or curriculum which means I get to choose whatever focus I want. This year we examined:

<span style="text-decoration: underline">Physical geography of the planet</span>
This included our place in the universe, types of maps and map reading skills. Earth's dimensions and general statistics.
<span style="text-decoration: underline">Water</span>
Where does our water come from? The importance of fresh water. Is bottled water worth it? Water pollution and it's affects on our lives.
<span style="text-decoration: underline">Land use</span>
What is soil and why is it important? Cattle vs. Corn: Which is less damaging to the environment?
<span style="text-decoration: underline">Garbage</span>
Landfills, recycling and green construction

So, to all you truly <span style="font-style: italic">opinionated</span> and up-to date fellows out there. I need some <span style="text-decoration: underline">new</span> topics for next year, because I just found out that some of my students will be allowed to enroll in this class again. My classes will be mixed 7th and 8th graders with some having taken the class this year and some being new to the course. Any ideas about relevant "issues" that I could research this summer. (BTW Global Warming and climate change are out because <span style="font-weight: bold">I</span> am sick of them)
 
Alien creatures could be cool. Like those crabs that live in 400° water by the magma vents in the ocean.
 
Here are a few that'll be easy to get current research on:

<span style="text-decoration: underline">Atmospheric content and component cycling</span>. You can be as sick of climate change as you want, it is <span style="text-decoration: underline">the</span> important question of the era (and will be for generations to come). You just can't beat climate change for importance and exhaustive relevant study, and more so than any other scientific topic will be driving public policy for decades to come. (<span style="font-style: italic">e.g. Your [new] car will be getting almost 50% better gas mileage in 7 years because of it.</span>) Atmospheric C02 and CH4 (and especially oceanic CH4) are simply the most important subjects any student can study these days, and since there is still so much bad science out there in the partisan media that the uninformed believe I think it would be a disservice to ignore it. Not understanding climate change will be like not understanding why you need to brush your teeth from now on. It's simply a necessity, an <span style="font-style: italic">inconvenient</span> necessity. :smirk:

<span style="text-decoration: underline">Geographical resource development, allocation, and supply.</span> Just google "Peak Oil" and you'll have a full curriculum's worth of material. "How much is left and is it a good idea to use it?" is an important question these days.

<span style="text-decoration: underline">Habitat Loss</span> A simple listing of lost species and populations could fill this subject, but it'd be more relevant for students to be aware of the losses of whole systems. Some global biomes (notably coral reefs and polar ice flows) are not expected to survive the century. The massive reduction in others (rain forests, wetlands, etc.) have serious implications that most people don't think about.

<span style="text-decoration: underline">Population Dynamics</span> Just how many of us are there, and what are we all doing now that is different from past eras we have data from?

<span style="text-decoration: underline">Non-Native Species</span> How are species like fingernail clams, grass carp, kudzu, boa constrictors, starlings, etc. changing the areas they've moved into, and how did they get there? What happens if they're not controlled?
 
I'd vote for the biological effects of worldwide shipping.
Air transport could be discussed too, but shipping (to me) has had a bigger effect than many folks realize (often with those pesky invasive critters mentioned above).

I live close to George Washington's Revolutionary War Winter Encampment here in New Jersey. It's engulfed in Japanese Stilt Grass these days.

Also, I read somewhere that if all the ships in the world were one country, they'd be the fifth biggest user of natural resources.....I'm not sure I'm quoting that exactly, but it might be interesting to research.

Those tube worms are too creepy!
 
Good suggestions, DaveatMoon.

I'll add one: How about what we're doing right here? The sociological implications of communicating via inernet, as opposed to physical/social contact has been touched on, but I haven't seen any serious study yet. MySpace, Facebook, email, and forums/lists like the BCF have really changed the way we think and relate to one another. And it would seem to be a natural for students, as they already have a vested interest!
 
How about the regulation of fishing?

There's a lot of concern about over-fishing and quotas, and whether these rules are effective or not.

I alos thnk there's a predator-prey cycle that would be interesting for looking at the dynamics of populations, Malthus, etc. ...
 
Sun spots & their effects on our weather
 
Hey, wonder how sun spots affect tube worms!
 
Terri; :savewave:

Just a suggestion, but to further what Nial started, how about the Great Lakes. The zebra mussels are just one of a number of different species that have arrived by shipping and are destroying the natural habitat.
These lakes represent 20% of the worlds fresh water and it is in serious trouble.
On a different note, did you know there have been more shipwrecks on the lakes than in the Bermuda Triangle. In fact, Long Point is a graveyard for ships and I live 25 miles away.
If you decide on this, I will be glad to get all the information I can for you.

Dave :thumbsup:

P.S. The first ship on the Great Lakes was the Griffin and the wreck has never been found!
 
I knew you guys would come through! I think I see several weeks of research into how to fit these into a cohesive curriculum(and yes Basil...I bet I can even find some room for the tube worms! You know 12 and 24 year-olds are fascinated with the strange and unusual...mainly because they themselves are strange and unusual)
I'll keep y'all updated on the topics I find for some brief respite from the normal prattle of our car progress.

Again, Thanks!
 
How 'bout for the last week you intro a discussion about how electronic communication trends like e-mail and texting have diminished the "face time" and social interaction/integration of individuals? Does it help or hurt human interaction, the exchange of concepts and ideas... p'raps ask who's more likely to embellish or be more bold in the 'ether' than in RealLife situations, who would be less likely. There will be those who cite video conferencing, "Gotomeeting" etc. fer sure... BUT!

They're gonna be lookin' toward summer release anyway, make it a "free-for-all". Open discussion, debate. When the place gets really animated bring up the idea that THAT kind of interaction can't be duplicated ~electronically~ with any dynamic approaching RL exchange. :smirk
 
terriphill said:
You know 12 and 24 year-olds are fascinated with the strange and unusual...mainly because they themselves are strange and unusual)
Click to expand...
I'm 42, so I guess that makes me normal. :crazyeyes:
 
That makes you the answer to Life, the Universe and Everything.
 
What IS a NORMAL human being? (is there such an animal?) Hmmmm! Now there's a topic too! :devilgrin:
 
DrEntropy said:
How 'bout for the last week you intro a discussion about how electronic communication trends like e-mail and texting have diminished the "face time" and social interaction/integration of individuals? Does it help or hurt human interaction, the exchange of concepts and ideas... p'raps ask who's more likely to embellish or be more bold in the 'ether' than in RealLife situations, who would be less likely. There will be those who cite video conferencing, "Gotomeeting" etc. fer sure... BUT!

They're gonna be lookin' toward summer release anyway, make it a "free-for-all". Open discussion, debate. When the place gets really animated bring up the idea that THAT kind of interaction can't be duplicated ~electronically~ with any dynamic approaching RL exchange. :smirk
Click to expand...

Bro - you been messin' with the bees and missed my earlier post...

<span style="font-style: italic"> We've TOLD you guys that we were separated at birth... </span> :smirk:
 
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