The+Effects+of+Depth+and+Sediment+on+Light+Intensity

The Effects of Depth and Sediment on Light Intensity Clinic 1 Lesson Plan Eleanor Graham (__ etg120@psu.edu __) Dan Hoy (__ dwh5094@psu.edu __)

We will be teaching middle school students about the effects of depth and sediment on light intensity in ocean waters. We will relate differences in light intensity to differences in ecosystems. This will be done through demonstrations measuring light intensity in different scenarios.
 * __Grade Level and Topic__**

National standards: 6.3: Populations and Ecosystems, Diversity and adaptations of organisms PA standards: 4.1.7C: Explain the effects of water on the life of organisms in a watershed. 4.3.7C: Explain Biological Diversity 4.6.7A: Explain the flows of energy and matter from organism to organism within an ecosystem
 * __Education Standards and PA Standards__**
 * Explain how water is necessary for all life
 * Explain how the physical components of aquatic systems influence the organisms that live there in terms of size, shape, and physical adaptations
 * Explain the complex, interactive relationships among members of an ecosystem
 * Describe and explain the adaptations of plants and animals to their environment
 * Understand limiting factors and predict their effects on an organism
 * Identify niches for producers, consumers, and decomposers within an ecosystem
 * Compare and contrast different biomes and their characteristics

As a result of this lesson students will be able to: -use light decector probes to measure light intensity -explain the effects of depth and sediment on light intensity -describe adaptations of organisms based on availability of light
 * __Instructional Objectives__**

Students will need to understand the connection between light and life (specifically photosynthesis). The lesson will also require a basic understanding of aquatic environments and organisms. An introductory understanding of how organisms adapt and evolve will also be useful.
 * __Content Explanation__**

To begin the lesson, a discussion will be conducted to gauge the students' knowledge of concepts described in the content exploration section above. Safety precautions will be taken to explain the risks of broken glass, and a broom/dust pan will be kept close by to clean up if necessary. Because electronics will be used in this lesson near water, we will also explain the proper safety procedures on how to care for and operate the electronic devices.
 * __Administrative Considerations__**

-2 identical graduated cylinders of medium depth -1 short graduated cylinder -1 medium graduated cylinder -1 large graduated cylinder -Blue food coloring -Hot Chocolate "mud" -Laptop Computer with //Data Studio// installed -Light Intensity Probe -Flashlight -Pictures of animals with adaptations to capture light or to live in ecosystem with little light -Water -Tables for observations
 * __Materials, Equipment, and Set-Up__**

Before students arrive, graduated cylinders will be prepared as followed. Two identical cylinders, one with clear water, one with water mixed with a small amount of hot chocolate "mud." One short, one medium, and one tall cylinder filled with water that has been dyed blue with food coloring. Probes will be attached to computers, and data studio will be open and ready for use. Batteries in the flashlights to be used will also be checked to be sure they are operational.


 * __Body of Lesson__**
 * 1) 1. Engagement (3 mins)
 * Show pictures of ecosystems located at different depths, ask students where they think these are found.
 * Ask students what they know about depth of water and light. Ask them if there is anything else that affects light.
 * How are organisms different at different depths?
 * Background information will be provided if necessary.
 * 1) 2. Exploration (10 mins)
 * Provide students with table/chart to record results.
 * Demonstrate procedure for measuring light intensity using light probes and graduated cylinders.
 * Allow students to perform the tests with the light probes.
 * Students will use Data Studio to collect data. They will record data on their table/chart.
 * 1) 3. Explanation (2 mins)
 * Explain how different depths/sediments show different light intensities.
 * 1) 4. Evaluation (2 mins)
 * Connect light intensity to ecosystem and organism adaptations.
 * Show pictures of organisms and ask students which ecosystems each might be from. Why?
 * 1) 5. Elaboration (extra time)
 * What else could affect light intensity and how would that affect adaptation?