TITLE:             Marsh and Beach Ecology Study
NAME:            Melanie Jenkins and Steva Gentry
E-MAIL:          Melanie's  Beyes@yahoo.com
                          Steva's      Gentryss@yahoo.com
KEYWORDS: The study of 3 different ecosystems: Beach, Maritime Forest and the Marsh (Bay)

TEXT:              This activity is a field trip to the coast but could be adapted to use on a great lake.  If you
                          are taking your group to a state park do the paper work and make arrangements several
                          weeks ahead of time.  They are always glad to have you, but you must get on their calendar!
                          They will usually waive entrance fees when you make reservations for educational studies.
                          Students will take down data and draw conclusions about 3 very different ecosystems: the
                          beach, the Maritime forest, and the marsh (or bay).  On both the ocean side and bay side of
                          barrier islands the tide allows for the study of three distinct areas:  the subtidal, submerged
                          always;  the intertidal, submerged during high tide and exposed during low tide.

RESOURCES:  1.  Cumberland County Schools (NC) - Coastal Resources Program
                                Student Field book: A Field Trip To Bogue Banks
                                Science Supervisor / Curriculum Specialist - Fred Beyer (Retired)

                            2.  Seacoast Life An Ecological Guide to Natural Seashore Communities in NC
                                  Judith M. Spitsbergen - UNC Press  1988

                            3.  Nature Guide to the Carolina Coast (common birds, crabs, shells, fish and other entities)
                                  Peter Meyer - Avian-Cetacean Press 1991

STANDARDS:  A - Select science content and adapt and design curricula to meet the interests, knowledge,
                                  understanding, abilities, and experiences of students.

                                  Select teaching and assessment strategies that support the development of student
                                  understanding and nurture a community of science learners.
 
                            B - Focus and support inquiries while interacting with students.

                                  Challenge students to accept and share responsibility for their own learning while
                                   recognizing and responding to student diversity.

                             C-  Use multiple methods and systematically gather data about student understanding
                                    and ability.

                              D - Structure the time available so that students are able to engage in extended
                                     investigations.

                                     Identify and use resources outside the school.

                               E - Nurture collaboration among students.
 
                                     Model and emphasize the skills, attitudes, and values of scientific inquiry.

                                F - Help plan and develop a school science program. (i.e. Coastal Ecology Field trip)
 

Woodrow Wilson Leadership Program in Environmental Science lpt@www.woodrow.org
The Woodrow Wilson National Fellowship Foundation webmaster@woodrow.org
CN 5281, Princeton NJ 08543-5281 Tel:(609)452-7007 Fax:(609)452-0066