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Ecosystems: A small scale study of the school grounds and microclimate

This module, developed by Lisa Bell, has been designed to enable students to learn and practice a variety of fieldwork techniques in their school grounds. It is aimed at Key Stage 3 (KS3), and would fit into a unit of study on ecosystems; a standard component of the KS3 scheme of work.

Students will be presented with a map of the school grounds, showing several different sites. The fieldwork will involve them investigating both the soils and the microclimate at each site. They will then analyse and compare their findings, and will use thinking skills and independent research to make informed decisions about which is the most suitable site for a vegetable garden.

Ecosystems on a global scale

As an extension to the task, students make links between the variations they have found in their small scale study and variations on a biome-scale. They research the different abiotic features of different biomes and then use this information to decide on the best location for different Educational Eden-Zones within the school grounds.

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File nameFiles

File type

Size

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School Grounds Ecosystem Study Teacher Introduction

.pdf

283 KB

School Grounds Ecosystem Study Teacher Introduction (1)

.doc

541 KB

School Grounds Ecosystem Study Introductory Presentation

.ppt

1 MB

School Grounds Ecosystem Study Additional Teacher Information

.pdf

59 KB

School Grounds Ecosystem Study Additional Teacher Information (1)

.doc

36 KB

School Grounds Ecosystem Study Starter Resource

.doc

30 KB

School Grounds Ecosystem Study Starter Resource (1)

.pdf

63 KB

School Grounds Ecosystem Study Fieldwork Data Collection

.doc

37 KB

School Grounds Ecosystem Study Fieldwork Data Collection (1)

.pdf

71 KB

School Grounds Ecosystem Study Follow-up Resource 1 Analysis of Data

.pdf

92 KB

School Grounds Ecosystem Study Follow-up Resource 1 Analysis of Data (1)

.doc

42 KB

School Grounds Ecosystem Study Follow-up Resource 2 Choosing a Site for your Vegetable Garden

.pdf

122 KB

School Grounds Ecosystem Study Follow-up Resource 2 Choosing a Site for your Vegetable Garden (1)

.doc

42 KB

School Grounds Ecosystem Study Extension Resource Biomes

.doc

46 KB

School Grounds Ecosystem Study Extension Resource Biomes (1)

.pdf

148 KB

School Grounds Ecosystem Study Risk Assessment

.pdf

141 KB

School Grounds Ecosystem Study Risk Assessment (1)

.doc

48 KB

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