Patterns of Geoscience: Interdisciplinary Dynamics
 

 
Rick Nassif

               Impacts on Modern Urban Environments: A simulation

Summary:
     Patterns of geoscience is a broad project that combines the themes of systems, scale, conservation, design, simulation, and modeling.  It is based on the adaptations of science math and geography concepts,  Students learn about regular geometric shapes in science, geography, and math,  the study of human interactions with ecosystems is linked thematically with a project in which students design dwellings, commercial buildings, environments, landscapes and cities; write journals; and create graphs reflecting data collected about the settlement patterns of their city.  the unit begins in science and continues to the math and geography classrooms.
Patterns of Geoscience will benefit teachers and students by providing them with resources and information that will enable them to investigate the relationships among integrated systems while studying suburban/urban environments.  Our investigations will focus on interdisciplinary studies and technology.  Technology in our program will utilize computers, transportation and on-line web services; sharing data with ninety school districts connected to an established long distance learning module.
     Science has diversity within the natural environment and ecosystems of urban communities; pollution, transportation and city growth patterns which affect architectural designs.  geography and math reflect population growth, settlement patterns, trends and distributions, areas and intensities of habitation in the Los Angeles area (urban and suburban).  Cooperative Learning Groups (CLG) are introduced to the nature of urban/suburban settlements.  Teams select and inquire into the nature of various patterns within those environments.  Using teacher developed "research guides" and technology as a tool, teams discern and investigate problems to present and explain the geography and science influences within those environments.
     Students engage in a study of habitats.  they explore climatic conditions in different environments, what causes these conditions, and how organisms respond to them.  Students examine shelters of animals and explores how people have incorporated many of the same features in their buildings.
     Students also learn about the various geometric patterns that occur in nature.  Student observe naturally occurring patterns and explore how people have incorporated those shapes into man-made creations. In the course of these lessons, students also learn about area, perimeter, symmetry, and other geometric concepts.  They also problem solve, collaborate, and develop a new city based on current issues.
PineSurf:
     PineSurf is a simulation that develops a fundamental understanding of man's interactions with ecosystems.  Students decide on the best course of action for dealing with environmental and geography problems facing the town of PineSurf.  They will base their decisions on the evaluation of scientific, economic, and personal information presented at a town meting called to discuss these issues.  They will need this information in order to build dwellings that met specific environmental and zoning requirements.
Resources: Science Plus; Holt, Rinehart and Winston, Publishers
                        SimCity software by Maxis
                        John Lopez, Peer Coaching, Oak Avenue School, Temple City, CA 91780