Matthew D. Cacopardo
This unit will be ideal for a 10th grade biology class. It will review chemical, physical, and geological applications which were previously covered in their past science classes. This review will be important in taking the CAPT science test. The unit will additionally teach several biology topics taught throughout the 10th grade biology curriculum. Tenth grade biology topics include:
The Five Characteristics of Living Things
The Scientific Method
Microscope
Producers and Consumers
Diffusion
Autotrophs and Heterotrophs
Photosynthesis and Cellular Respiration
Food Cycles
Ecology
Species Diversity
Most New Haven schools are located within a few miles from New Haven harbor. Many of my students have never seen a natural ecosystem. Some have not been down to the harbor. I would like to change this by implementing a research project for interested students on the overall health of our harbor and surrounding coastline. What I would like to answer is do marine organisms have a greater abundance in the inner more polluted harbor or in the outer harbor and surrounding coastline. I plan to do this by looking at species distribution and abundance as well as determining the geologic, physical and chemical profiles of four parks located along the coastline of New Haven harbor.
