Dipping Into Our Vernal Pool Or … Exploring “ Wicked Big Puddles ”

AIM Participants:  Jennifer Jendzejec-third grade teacher; clinical instructor-Washington Oak School  Greg Kniseley-professor; course instructor-Rhode Island College  Deborah Kolling-third grade teacher; clinical instructor-Washington Oak School

Research Questions:  Exactly what is the “wicked big puddle” on our playground?  Is it safe?  Should we protect it?  Are there more of these puddles? Where?

Background: In the past, students have questioned the fact that they’re not able to play on a large section of the playground. The reason provided: a large pool of water forms in that area at various times of the year and students are to avoid it.

Hypothesis:  The standing body of water on our playground is not a pond, but a vernal pool. Why?  *It is an open body of water smaller than ¼ acre in size.  *It holds water for less than six months a year.  *It is capable of supporting and providing habitat for aquatic lifeforms. *RI Fresh Water Wetlands Act

Standards  Science Grade Level Expectations  Reading/Language Arts GLEs  Math GLEs

Possible Types for Data  Digital photographs of the pool over time  Location of the pool (GPS)

Pool Characteristics  o Length, width, area, average depth, and approximate volume  o pH  o water color  o dissolved oxygen content  o water temperature  o pool bottom type (peat, leaf litter, mud, sand, gravel, cobbles, bedrock)  o presence of inlet and/or outlet to the pool

Habitat Conditions  o Distance to nearest: road, building, lawn, woods  o Tree canopy cover over pool (percent)  o Vegetation types within pool (percent)  o Vegetation types within 100 feet of pool (percent)  o Pool type: woods depression, open field, drainage system, quarry or rocky area, swamp, coastal pond, bog, impoundment, man-made dug pool, other  o General description of pool  o Presence of inlet and/or outlet to pool 

Biological Conditions  o Observe vernal pool organisms over time and seasons  o Observe and photograph animal behaviors over time and seasons vernal pool animals observed.  o Monitor populations of species

Data Transformation  Charts, tables, graphs, maps  Digital images  Sequencing photos over seasons  GPS/Google maps of the perimeter of the pool over time

Camera Usage  Digital photographs of pool over time  Animated GIF  Digital photographs of organisms  Power Point presentation to community  Students utilizing cameras to capture evidence during investigations (FOSS Water Kit)  Photograph students engaged in hands on activities for assessment and reflection