Content Objectives
The students that will be enrolled in my Geometry classes for the 2020-2021 academic year will be mostly sophomores whom I’ve had the honor of teaching as freshman. As freshman enrolled in the STEAM Academy at Brashear High School, they will have successfully passed Biology. The content background may be a refresher for the most part.
Throughout the unit, the students will comprehend how ecosystems change. Students will gain knowledge of fundamental concepts within conservation and biodiversity; therefore, develop a greater sensibility of the wonderful natural world that is still surrounding us by identifying the role of caretakers and exploiters to an ecosystem. Students will gain knowledge of the main threats to biological diversity and the ability to evaluate the effects of human influences such as habitat fragmentation, climate changes and invasive species on biodiversity. Students will also gain a greater understanding of the relationships and conflicts between social development and conservation of ecosystems as well as moral and ethical issues.
Nature’s finest mathematicians are bees. They can comprehend the roundness of the earth and calculate angles while communicating through a waggle dance that involves a figure eight. One of the most mathematically efficient architectural design around is the beehive that contain hundreds of hexagons. The unit will begin with an introduction to bees through literature using Mobi Warren’s book “The Bee Maker.” A wonderful story set in the not-too-distant future that intertwines Greek mythology and Japanese origami.3 Students will discuss and record what they already know about bees, including stories of their own bee experiences and feelings. This will be followed by several lessons on bee physiology and behaviors, as well as their role in the ecosystem. I will attempt to build a local connection to any current scientific research and conservation agencies working with bees in our area (University of Pittsburgh is certified as a Bee Campus). This would be an excellent time to have students visit, or be visited by, a presenter. This unit will symbolically be taught in the spring.
As caretakers, we will try to promote a healthy population and attract bees to our area by designing nest sites. To make these, students will need to research and design nest sites that will be appealing, attractive, and functional. We may construct one out of wood and other materials as a class to be placed on the school grounds, and I may have students build their own smaller versions to take home (depending on time, materials, etc.…). Either way, successful construction and usage by local bees will be based on student research, including bee physiology and behavior, local bee activity observations, and careful material selection, nesting site design, and construction. Students have access to tools and materials and have been trained to use them in our STEAM lab. Finally, students will observe their bee nesting site for signs of bee activity and evaluate the effectiveness of their design, construction, and placement of the site.
In summary, students will learn about a variety of bees and their roles as pollinators. Then they will focus on the different species of bees in Pennsylvania and the reasons for their decline due to human reasons. They will examine the multiple ripple effects of a healthy bee population as well as a decimated or extinct bee population. Finally, as caretakers, they will contribute data collection as well as design, construct, and evaluate the effectiveness of researched-based nesting site of their own making.
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