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HOW IT WORKS
Earth Design 2000 is an inquiry-based program that motivates
students to use the scientific method to design and construct a project
or invention that can protect the earth’s environment. This
standards-based program encourages students to identify a problem,
research it, and use problem-solving strategies
to design a model solution. Students are encouraged to use Internet Web sites and
CD-ROM encyclopedias to gather information and statistics about
problems affecting the earth’s environment, such as pollution. They
develop a project or invention that helps solve the problem, such as a
way to recover metal from a garbage dump. They also read about
individuals and groups who have made major contributions to
environmental protection. The students demonstrate their projects and
inventions to the class, and the outstanding ones are displayed at the
school science fair. These projects will also be displayed at our
architecture, design, and technology fair.
THE STUDENTS
Four sixth grade classes and two special education classes
participated in Earth Design 2000, but it is easily adapted to other
grades.
THE STAFF
Manette Gampel has been teaching science for almost twenty years.
She is the coordinator of her school’s architecture and design
program, which has been recognized as an exemplary program for
middle school. She has received several grants and was a past
recipient of an IMPACT II grant for her program Soda Bottle City in the
Year 2000. Her work has been featured in several publications, and
she has lectured citywide and at national conferences on the value of
incorporating architecture and computer-aided design into middle
school science and mathematics programs.
WHAT YOU NEED
Classroom computers with Internet access and CD-ROM
encyclopedias and TIME magazine software, if available. Internet
access enables students to research local pollution problems and
gather data for their reports. A visit by experts from the Salvadori
Center helps students understand the need to protect the environment
when designing infrastructure in cities, such as the inclusion of modern
recycling plants.
OVERALL VALUE
Earth Design 2000 encourages students to design inventions that
emulate professional scientists by using the scientific method.
Students may work alone or in groups to study an environmental
problem and design a solution in the form of a project or an invention.
Students report on their work in classroom presentations and have an
opportunity to answer questions from other students. Besides resulting
in fascinating science fair projects, Earth Design 2000 helps
students develop awareness of what each person can do to
protect the environment.
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Manette B. Gampel's
Dissemination Packet
(pdf file: requires Adobe
Acrobat Reader).
CURRICULUM AREAS
Science
Mathematics
GRADES
5-8
MORE INFORMATION:
Manette B. Gampel
Dyker Heights
Intermediate School 201
8010 12th Avenue
Brooklyn, NY 11228
718-833-9363
Fax: 718-836-1786
sorscia@aol.com
IMPACT II Catalog
2000-2001
(pdf file: requires Adobe
Acrobat Reader).
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