3-dQP: What’s in your 3-d quadrat?
Hi, this is day one on the blog for the 3D quadrat program and I will take this time to introduce our program as well as provide to link to find out more.
The 3-d Quadrat Program is designed to help develop an understanding of earth system science. The Earth system is very dynamic and involves multiple variables that are all very dependent on each other. These variables included aspects of all five spheres: the atmosphere, the biosphere, the hydrosphere, the lithosphere, and the cryosphere. Too often students are asked to make observations and collect data from only one sphere and do not gain experience in understanding the entire system. 3-d quadrats create a workable sized space that encourages and allows collecting observations and data from multiple interactive parts of the Earth system. Though 1m3 is the basic unit of size for the 3-d Quadrat Program we encourage the creation of other multiple of this size and 10m3 space may be the perfect size for an entire ecology lab for a class or school. Once you start to "add" additional 3d quadrats you will be able to interpret various geograpohic areas, even those directly next to tyour first 3d quadrat. Once you start adding you will see that you observations can be used to interpret between different areas and used to extrapolate your observations to even larger areas. Eventually you will see how you can use your observations to create models and project temporally and spatially (into time and space).
The observations/data collection in each 3-d quadrat can then be applied to the larger Earth system. This program is not just limited to K-12th grade but is developed to include informal education and adult learners as well. Through its workshops, seminars, educational materials, and a variety of public-outreach activities, the 3-dQP provides leadership in the training and retraining of all educators to use innovative methods to stimulate young minds about earth system science and human impact on the planet. This program is not limited to earth science students but includes mathematics, literature, art, and social studies. It is also a first step in citizen science and making detailed observations about environmental change, first having observed multiple parameters in a single space.
The 3-d Quadrat Program supports basic and applied research and evaluation that enhances science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) learning and teaching.
* Synthesis Research and Evaluation Project proposals should identify areas where the knowledge base in either evaluation or research is sufficiently robust to support strong scientific claims, identify areas of importance to education research and practice, and propose rigorous methods for synthesizing findings and drawing conclusions. Proposals for workshops and other meetings are permitted.
Most notably 3-d quadrats can be open or closed systems with dynamic movement through the quadrat boundaries supporting a natural system and allows testing of individual variables.
http://www.tufts.edu/as/wright_center/3dqp/
So, now you know a little about our program. More is included on the web site. As others use the program youare welcome to comment here adding your own thoughts and observations.
Thanks
