UNIT OVERVIEW:

Waipi ‘o Valley Stream     Restoration Study

This stream study unit provides a sequence of lesson plans that can be taught over the course of a semester. The unit is designed primarily for use in a middle school science course, but it may also be integrated with social studies and language arts.

The unit, as a whole, is a scientific investigation to measure the impact of a stream restoration on stream flow, habitat and biota. The lessons are designed to guide the “student scientists” through a sequence of common steps of a scientific study (based on “the scientific method”), from stating the question and acquiring background knowledge, to analyzing data and reporting conclusions.

The students work in teams to conduct the study, and collaborate with scientists and the partner school.

As they proceed through the unit, the student scientists record all components of their study (e.g. “Scientific Question”, “Forming Your Hypotheses”) on the Stream Study Report form which is accessible on the study website.

In some lessons, students are referred to the study website for readings, tables, photo images, and other resources.