Comparison Studies of Coastlines

by Melanie Jenkins

Objective

What is the effect of sea-level rise on a given area, as determined after studying aerial photographs and doing background research?

National Standards

A. Teachers of science plan an inquiry-based science program for their students.
C. Teachers of science engage in ongoing assessment of their teaching and of student learning.
D. Teachers of science design and manage learning environments that provide students with the time, space, and resources needed for learning science.

Summary

Compare old and present aerial photographs to study coastline margins of a specific area. The possibilities of development or human impact or storms need to be addressed in a background check. Students should be able to predict the effect of sea-level rise on this area being studied.

Prerequisites

Activity can be used for grades 7 and up.

Materials & Equipment

Old and new aerial photographs
Clear acetate overhead sheets
Permanent overhead pens, assorted colors
Computer access & NIH image program

Procedure

Students will use Xeroxed copies of old and new aerial photographs to trace the coastline margins on to clear acetate overhead sheets with permanent marker. Some historical research needs to be done to allow the student to make good hypotheses about sea-level rise causes in their chosen area. The student should consider development in the area, human impact, or storms that may have occurred.

More advanced students may want to use NIH image and generate data tables on the computer.

Assessment

Students will present their findings to the class. The following simple rubric will be completed by class members:

AGREE STRONGLY AGREE DISAGREE DISAGREE STRONGLY
4 3 2 1

Are coastline margins drawn clearly?
Was it clear that historical research was done completely?
Was a hypothesis reached?
Was the hypothesis in the proper form?

Extension

Predict future coastlines by drawing dotted lines in a different color on your overhead. Be able to defend your hypothesis based on sea-level rise. This exercise may be done in conjunction with the one on tides.

Resources

Call local Agricultural Extension Agent or Dept. of Agriculture for aerial photos

http://rsb.info.nih.gov/nih-image to download FREE copy of NIH-image

http://crusty.er.usgs.gov/coast/getcoast.html

Kearney, M.J. & J.C. Stevenson, 1991, "Island Land & Marsh Vertical Acceleration Rate Evidence for Historical Sea-Level Changes in Chesapeake Bay", Journal of Coastal Research, 7:403-415.

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