A Case Study of Loch Vale Watershed (LVWS): Exploring Scientific Process Using Excel, Field Studies and Internet Research AP Environmental Science Class, Rocky Mountain High School, Fort Collins, CO The stated goal of the AP Environmental Science (APES) course is “to provide students with the scientific principles, concepts, and methodologies required to understand the interrelationships of the natural world, to identify and analyze environmental problems both natural and human-made, to evaluate the relative risks associated with these problems, and to examine alternative solutions to resolving or preventing them.” Course Instructor: Dave Swartz; CSU GK-12 Fellows: Jill Oropeza, MS in Ecology & Angie Moline, PhD in Ecology Laboratory Field Trip, Natural Resource Ecology Lab (NREL), CSU February 22, 2006 Students visited laboratory facilities where they were introduced to equipment and chemistry techniques used for analyzing samples collected from LVWS. They also participated in discussion about how to design and manage research projects and types of research activities going on at NREL. Each student learned to:  Import, filter, format and construct Excel formulas for data observation  Create graphs with the formatted data using Excel’s charting functions  Use a companion website for the activity with pertinent informational internet links  Discuss observed trends in context of ecosystem properties  Deliver Power Point presentation of results to class and for a mini-seminar presented to the AP Biology class as an introduction to the Loch Vale Field Trip Excel: A Tool for Scientific Inquiry January 17-20, 2006 Teaching students to use Excel provided them the opportunity to: 1) Explore real-world research data from Loch Vale Watershed (LVWS) 2) Develop technical graphing skills and ability to apply basic statistics for interpretation 3) Practice communicating results to different audiences The recent findings of human induced changes to the Loch Vale ecosystem have gained notable media attention as various government agencies develop strategies to address the growing environmental problem of nitrogen deposition. The APES class will explore the media coverage to understand the complex issues involved with environmental/societal problems. This project gives students a direct understanding of the scientific observations used in making these decisions. Connecting Science with Social Issues (ongoing) Connecting to River Watch Activities (future activities) RMHS has worked with the Colorado RiverWatch Network for 10 years. Students will sample water from Spring Creek and the Poudre River in April and collect metals samples (analyzed by Colorado Division of Wildlife), test for Dissolved Oxygen, measure pH, acidity, and alkalinity of the samples. The Loch Vale Winter Ecology Field Trip, Rocky Mountain National Park February 21, 2006 The objectives of the Loch Vale field trip were twofold: 1) To experience the physical, technical, and logistical aspects of doing ecological research, and 2) To encourage the development of an ethic of environmental stewardship A field experience is one of the most important ways students establish a personal stake in a project! Getting there and the lessons learned… The students hiked 2.5 miles on snowshoes with an overall elevation gain of ~1,000 ft. At the top, they were met with blowing winds and snow near Loch Vale. Not at all the sunny day we hoped for!  The reality and rewards of hard work in the field!  Students observed RMNP staff collect stream water samples.  Participated in discussion and demonstration of monitoring methods for water collection at LVWS study  Learned about different types of ecological data collected from other study sites from within LVWS, including soils, groundwater, snowpack, and forestry data