Investigations
Built Environment Scavenger Hunt
In this investigation, students identify elements of the built environment around their school and identify how they work as resources for the community. They also examine patterns in the locations of these resources.
Zoning
In this investigation, students investigate the area around their school and identify what type of zone they are in (residential, business, industrial, green space, etc.). They determine how zoning areas are distributed around their school and compare their observations with the official zoning map for their city.
Urban Heat Islands
In this investigation, students investigate the area around their school to identify different types of ground surfaces (asphalt, concrete, grass, dirt, etc.) and compare the heat radiation of these surfaces.
Trees and Ecological Services
In this investigation, students investigate the area around their school to identify different types of trees, explore the environmental and societal benefits that trees provide in their city, and investigate the relationship among trees and crime in their city.
Transportation Modes
In this investigation, students investigate the environmental impact of different types of transportation. They also compare travel time and distance between the same locations with different transportation types.
Carbon Sequestration
In this investigation, students measure the age of a tree, calculate the amount of carbon sequestered (taken up) by that tree during its life, and compare the amount of carbon sequestered by the tree to a typical American monthly carbon emission.
Tree Planting Project
In this geospatial project, students have been given a grant that will fund the planting of trees on the property of their school.
Built Environment Project
In this geospatial project, students use ARCGIS.com to analyze a variety of city data that includes government services, business, municipal zoning, housing, and demographic data in a city ward (section). They develop a proposal for the community needs of their ward to be environmentally, socially, and economically sustainable.
Culminating Project
In the culminating project, the city government is creating a new comprehensive plan for future sustainable development and is interested in smart growth.