The+Most+Livable+Community

= Title: = A Competition - Finding the Most Livable Community in Maryland

Summary:
Students will work collabortively in a competition to identify the most livable community in the state based on the following criteria and historical data for air quality, water quality, as well incident rates of given illnesses, if available. At a later date, it would be intersting to extend this project beyond the science of it all to include the arts, math and engineering.

Maryland Science Standards:
Standard 1.0 Skills and Processes: 5.1.A.1.a.,b. 5.1.C.1.a.- e. Grade 5 Science Standard 1

Standard 3.0 Life Science: 5.3.A.1.e. Grade 5 Science Standard 3

Standard 6.0 Environmental Science: 5.6.A.1.a. - c. 5.6.B.1.a.,b. 5.6.B.2.a. - c. Grade 5 Science Standard 6

Possible Websites/Technology Tools:
//MDE Air Quality Historical Data// //**Status of the Ozone Plume in Maryland and the Eastern United States** The Department has developed an interactive map to help you track air quality improvements in Maryland and the Eastern United States. The map can be explored interactively using your web browser or can be downloaded and viewed using// //Google Earth////.//

//Google Earth// //Google Earth lets you fly anywhere on Earth to view satellite imagery, maps, terrain,// [|//3D buildings//]//, from galaxies in outer space to the canyons of the ocean. You can explore rich geographical content, save your toured places, and share with others.// // Note to self: get someone with admin privalages to download Google Earth // //MDE Air and Radiation Programs// //In order to ensure the air is safe to breathe, the Maryland Department of the Environment carries out mandates from the Federal Clean Air Act and administers air pollution monitoring, planning, and control programs to improve and maintain air quality. The Department also administers a radiation control program in conformance with federal law. The programs are geared to protect the health and welfare of both the citizens and the environment of Maryland.//

//Clean Air Partners// //For more than 10 years, Clean Air Partners has strived to improve public health and the environment by working with businesses, organizations and individuals throughout the region to raise awareness and reduce air pollution through voluntary actions. Our success is dependent on the active participation of an informed community. To that end, Clean Air Partners is pleased to present:// //On the Air: Exploring Air Pollution Sources and Solutions// // On the Air is an interactive teaching kit that engages students in the exploration of their environment as they study important air pollution topics such as Criteria Air Pollutants, the Air Quality Index, Ozone, Particulate Matter, Our lungs and Health, Community Sources and Solutions and Climate Change.//

Note to self: Check for video, interactives, images, etc to support lesson plan...Teacher Domain, Discovery Education, check the science resource websites...

**_____________________COMMENTS BEGIN BELOW_______________________________**

== First, I was not able to see what your specific science instructional objectives are for this instructional project, because the link was inoperable, otherwise efficient use of technology. Also, what technology standards will you and your students be using? I perceive this as a class project, with real world applications and I do agree it has great potential for collaboration across the curriculum. == ==I would like to see how you plan to set up the competition in an inquiry based format. What would a single lesson look like? How would students function collaboratively in day to day lessons? Are they working as partners or in cooperative groups. But more specifically, how will the subject matter be addressed in an individual lesson using inquiry based instruction. Your instructional idea shows students and their families that classroom instruction can definitely impact our daily life. You present questions that we all should ask when choosing a community to call home. P. McGowan (teacherwoman10) ==

I went back to your link and I was able to get it to work. P. McGowan (teacherwoman10)
== This is a very interesting idea! I had no problems with the links to the standards. I had questions similar to Ms. McGowan's reply. I was wondering about the technology standards as well as what a single lesson would look like. I think it is a great idea. I hope I can make some helpful suggestions as this is developed further! D. Spisak ==