Digital Commons Network^™

The Water, Ji Kim

Open Educational Resources

Water is everywhere, thus, we tend to take it for granted. However, access to clean water has been inequitable; climate change is threatening the sea water level, causing the acidification of ocean water. In this project, we will investigate the environmental and social issues related to clean water and its impacts on our life by reading articles, watching videos, and exploring activities.

21st Century Ecopoetics And Ecotheory, Robert Balun

Open Educational Resources

Ecopoetics is the study of literature that is concerned with ecology and nature. However, beyond just literature about nature, this course will examine how ecology and nature have become complicated in the 21st century, the age of the Anthropocene, the age of the climate crisis and the 6th mass extinction (don’t worry, we will define these and other key terms).

In the 21st century, humans are now confronted with a growing awareness of their destructive impact on the earth, its environments, and its human and non-human inhabitants. In this class we will examine how ecology and nature have become complicated …

Eas 201: Nature Of New York, Cuny School Of Professional Studies

Open Educational Resources

Provides an introduction to ecological reasoning through study of New York City’s geologic origins and transformations over time: natural and man-made environments, cultural history, biological diversity, habitats, and invasive species. Lectures, discussion, virtual labs and field experiences show how various elements have combined over time to form the current urban metropolis. Students will formulate testable hypothesis, collect and analyze field data, create well-developed laboratory reports.

Hydrophilic Porphyrins Based Chemosensors For First Transition Series Metal Ions [Chemistry], Sunaina Singh

Open Educational Resources

General Chemistry is a two-semester course (General Chemistry I, SCC 201 and General Chemistry II, SCC 202) required for majors in Biology and Environmental Sciences.

This lab experiment, aligned to LaGuardia Community College’s Inquiry and Problem Solving Core Competency and Written Communication Ability was designed for General Chemistry I (SCC 201 Honors) course. Honors courses in LaGuardia emphasize critical thinking, analytical writing, and introduce students to research. This lab experiment provides an opportunity for students to engage in hands-on laboratory work, to develop laboratory skills, and to conduct research in the classroom by using two water soluble porphyrins to detect …

Perspectives Of Global Warming, Diomaris Padilla Dr.

Open Educational Resources

This course is designed to foster an interest in global environmental issues by informing the student of both the anthropogenic and natural causes for climate change. While focusing on the scientific aspects of climate change, a broader study will include issues pertaining to global policy and economics in order to engage the student in public policy debates.

Microwave Solventless Synthesis Of Meso-Tetrakis (Pentafluorophenyl)Poprphyrin (Tppf20) And Tris(Pentafluorophenyl))Corrole [Chemistry], Sunaina Singh

Open Educational Resources

Organic chemistry is a two-semester course (Organic Chemistry I, SCC 251 and Organic Chemistry II, SCC 252) required for majors in Biology. The SCC 251 course has been designated for the Integrative Learning Core Competency as well the Digital Communication Ability. This course emphasizes the synthesis, structure, reactivity, and mechanisms of reaction of organic compounds. Laboratory stresses various organic synthetic and analytic techniques (distillation, extraction, chromatography and spectroscopy).

This lab provided an opportunity for students to go deeper with the chemistry content by correlating to the concepts they learned in General Chemistry courses such as Valence shell electron pair repulsion …

Titration Of A Newtown Creek Environmental Water Sample To Determine The Amount Of Chloride Ions [Chemistry], Kevin Mark

Open Educational Resources

Main Course Learning Objectives:

The General Chemistry 1 (SCC 201) course has multiple course learning objectives, which articulate key introductory chemistry concepts that all STEM students should possess. In particular, the Newtown Creek titration experiment aligns with SCC 201 learning objectives of:

1. Demonstrate an appreciation of the role of chemistry in various aspects of life
2. Perform basic laboratory skills such as the proper execution of titration techniques
3. Describe and explain the fundamental chemistry concept of solution concentration
4. Analyze and represent experimental data in tables and graphs, interpret experimental results and write laboratory reports

In the SCC 201 laboratory, students are …

Air Pollution [Liberal Arts: Math And Science/Natural Science], Ian Alberts

Open Educational Resources

This assignment was designed for students in the pathways introductory chemistry class and the first year seminar and aligns with the Inquiry and Problem Solving core competency. In this context, there is a focus on “framing the issues” (identifies and/or addresses questions and problems), “evidence gathering” (assembles, reviews and synthesizes evidence from several diverse sources), “evidence” (analyze the data to address the questions posed) and “conclusions” (critical thinking, reflect on the outcomes, draw conclusions and generate new knowledge). There is also a Global Learning component based on comparing data collected locally with corresponding data from other locations or countries. The …

Digital Storytelling [Natural Sciences], Preethi Radhakrishnan

Open Educational Resources

A well-crafted and executed storytelling assignment can serve as an efficient and engaging learning activity which targets the three highest levels of Blooms’ taxonomy which are to Create, Evaluate and Analyze. This digital storytelling assignment is part of a signature assignment series (Stage 1) conducted in all courses of the First Year Seminar for Natural Sciences (NSF101). Students begin collecting pictures and videos for their assignment from the 3^rd week of the semester on a flash drive. During the fourth week of the semester, the instructor first describes the storytelling process and stages. This is followed by learning around …

Gep 3750 Data Acquisition And Integration Methods For Gis Analysis, Yuri Gorokhovich

Open Educational Resources

The techniques and science of data acquisition and creation for spatial analysis in a geographic information system (GIS); includes field data collection. Students will be instructed in the use GPS devices, mobile GIS, workstation GIS, as well as data from other sources including remotely sensed data.

The full course site is available at https://gep3750.commons.gc.cuny.edu/.

Integration Of Live Radio Programming & Real-Time Blogging In The Macaulay Honors College Seminar Iii On Science And Technology In New York City, Angelo Lampousis, Aaron Kendall, Chris Caruso

Open Educational Resources

In this presentation we summarize the lessons learnt through this experience of including live radio programming activities in the context of Macaulay Honors College Seminar III on Science and Technology in New York City. Our presentation falls under the innovation theme and specifically the blended learning opportunities track. The overall goal of the Macaulay Honors College Seminar III is to offer students fundamental scientific and technological knowledge. An essential aspect of our approach was to afford Honors students a real opportunity to interface directly with the actual people involved in science and technology. We arranged for live radio interviews, as …

Winds Around Highs And Lows, Storm Project

Open Educational Resources

National Science Education Standards: As a result of activities in grades 5-8, all students should develop an understanding of motions and forces, structure of the earth system, and understandings about science and technology.

Carbon Dioxide In The Atmosphere, Storm Project

Open Educational Resources

Objectives: Students learn the importance of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere.

National Science Education Standards: As a result of activities in grades 9-12, all students should develop abilities necessary to do scientific inquiry and understandings about scientific inquiry. As a result of their activities in grades 9-12, all students should develop understanding of matter, energy, and organization in living systems. As a result of their activities in grades 9-12, all students should develop an understanding of energy in the earth system and geochemical cycles.

Understanding Dispersion Models Using Computer Technology, Storm Project

Open Educational Resources

Objectives:

• Analyze dispersion models
• Use computer models to predict outcomes of various scenarios

9-12 NSES Standards:

• Standard A: Inquiry - Abilities necessary to do scientific inquiry and Understanding about scientific inquiry
• Standard E: Science and Technology - Abilities of technological design and Understanding about science and technology
• Standard F: Science in Personal and Social Perspectives - Personal and community health, Population growth, Natural resources, Environmental quality, Natural and human-induced hazards, Science and technology in local, national, and global challenges

Indoor Air Pollution, Storm Project

Open Educational Resources

Objectives: Students will learn about indoor air pollutants the types and legal concentrations and affects on human health. The students will also determine the pathway for the formation of radon.

National Science Education Standards: As a result of their activities in grades 9-12, all students should develop an understanding of the structure of the atoms; environmental quality; and natural and human-induced hazards.

As a result of their activity the students will have a better understanding of the atom’s parts and how the atom disintegrates and interacts with the environment. The students should have a better understanding of the …

Oxygen Give And Take, Storm Project

Open Educational Resources

Summary: This is a series of three activities followed by a worksheet. The concepts taught include gas production (O2 and CO2), chemical reactions, catalysts, and pollution caused by combustion. Correlation to National Science Education Standards

• Content Standard 9-12 Physical Science B Chemical Reactions

• Content Standard 9-12 Earth and Space Science D Geochemical Cycles

There's A Whole Lotta Spillin' Goin' On!, Storm Project

Open Educational Resources

Unit Learning Objectives: The learner should be able to:

1. Compare and contrast hazardous chemical spills 2. Comprehend how hazardous chemicals affect the environment.
3. Explain the difficulty involved in cleaning up a hazardous spill.
4. Explain how the chemical travels once it is released.
5. Assess how hazardous chemicals affect the human body and animal life.
6. Analyze a chemical spill and its affects on its surroundings.
7. Create an emergency management system based on a real life situation

Evidence of Understanding: By the end of this unit, students should be able to demonstrate a clear understanding of hazardous …

It’S Time For A Change, Storm Project

Open Educational Resources

Learning Objective: (adapted from the Secondary National Science Content Standards)

1 .Chemical reactions may release or consume energy. Some reactions, such as burning fossil fuels, release large amounts of energy by losing heat and emitting light.

2. Light can initiate many chemical reactions such as the evolution of urban smog.

3. The total energy of the universe is constant. Energy can be transferred by collisions in chemical reactions. However, it can never be destroyed.

4. Everything becomes less orderly over time. In energy transfer the overall effect of the energy spreads out uniformly like the warming of our surroundings as …

To Burn Or Not To Burn, Storm Project

Open Educational Resources

Objective : Students learn how a locally proposed power plant may impact the environment of their community.

National Science Education Standards:
As a result of activities in grades 9-12, students
should develop

• Abilities necessary to do scientific inquiry
• Understandings about science and technology

As a result of activities in grades 9-12, students
should develop understanding of

• Personal and community health
• Environmental quality
• Science and technology in local, national, and global challenges

Trouble Breathing?, Storm Project

Open Educational Resources

Objective:

Students will make connections from everyday situations to air quality. Students will know the 7 criteria pollutants established by the EPA and monitored by each state.

National Science Education Standard:

As a result of activities in grades 5-8, students w ill learn that natural environments may contain substances that are harmful to human beings. Maintaining environmental health involves establishing or monitoring quality standards related to use of soil, water, and air.

Finding The Planetary Boundary Layer, Storm Project

Open Educational Resources

Objective: Students will learn about the presence of the planetary boundary layer within the troposphere. Then using real life data, observe the changing levels of the boundary layer.

National Science Education Standards:

• Standard A: Science as Inquiry
• Standard B: Teacher will guide and facilitate a learning environment
• Standard D: Students will be provided with time, space and resources to conduct their research.
• Standard E: Science and Technology

Factories - Friends Or Foes?, Storm Project

Open Educational Resources

Objective: Students will be able to role play various points of view considering placement of a factory and its effects on air quality.

National Science Education Standards:

Standard E - Understandings about science and technology

Standard F -

• Personal health
• Populations, resources, and environments
• Natural hazards
• Risks and benefits
• Science and technology in society

Standard G - Science as a human endeavor

Concentration Is Essential For This Task!: An Activity In Comparing Of Concentrations, Storm Project

Open Educational Resources

Objectives:

Students will be able to explain and give examples of both parts per million and parts per billion. In the next activity students will use these values in the analysis of air quality data.

National Science Education Standards:

Earth materials are solid rocks and soils, water, and the gases of the atmosphere. The varied materials have different physical and chemical properties, which make them useful in different ways, for example, as building materials, as sources of fuel, or for growing the plants we use as food. Earth materials provide many of the resources that humans use.

Scientific investigations involve …

Be Particular About Our Matter!, Storm Project

Open Educational Resources

Objectives:

--Demonstrate that particulate air pollution can be invisible to the eye.
--Students will collect and observe particulate matter.
--Students will identify pollen grains and make their own pollen map for Davenport.
-- Students will collect and interpret local environmental maps.
--Students will investigate health risks involved in polluted air.

National Science Education Standards:

• Standard A: Students will conduct scientific inquiry
• Standard B: Teacher will guide and facilitate a learning environment.
• Standard D: Students will be provided with time, space and resources toconduct their research.
• Standard F: Risks and benefits; Science and technology in society

Patterns Of Temperature, Storm Project

Open Educational Resources

Objectives:

1. Students will analyze temperature distributions on a map.
2. Students will compare and contrast temperature variations on a weather map.

National Science Standards: All students should develop an understanding of: structure of earth system, science and technology, risks and benefits, and science and technology in society.

Clouds Over Your Head, Storm Project

Open Educational Resources

Objectives:

• Students will become familiar with the four main types of clouds: stratus, cirrus, cumulus, and cumulonimbus and their characteristics
• Students will learn the weather map symbols for cloudy, clear or no clouds, and partly cloudy.

National Science Standards: All students should develop an understanding of: properties of earth materials, and changes in earth and sky.

Weather Maps And Fronts, Storm Project

Open Educational Resources

Objective: Students will use symbol knowledge learned from previous lessons to read and understand warm and cold fronts on a weather map.

National Science Education Standards:
All students should develop an understanding of:
properties of earth materials and changes in earth
and sky.

Which Way Does The Wind Blow?, Storm Project

Open Educational Resources

Objective: Students will be able to explain the direction the wind is blowing by observing a wind vane and applying this knowledge to the use of real time weather data about wind.

National Science Education Standards: All students should develop an understanding of: properties of objects and materials, position and motion of objects, properties of earth materials,and changes in earth and sky.

How Fast Does The Wind Blow?, Storm Project

Open Educational Resources

Objectives:
• The student will construct an anemometer and calculate the wind speed.
• The student will examine a weather map to determine wind speed and wind direction using the weather station model.

National Science Standards: All students should develop an understanding of:abilities necessary to do scientific inquiry, properties of objects and materials, position and motion of objects, properties of earth materials, and changes in earth and sky.

Highs, Lows And Patterns In The Wind, Storm Project

Open Educational Resources

Objectives:
1. Students will learn that H is the symbol for high pressure and L is symbol for low pressure on weather maps.
2. Students will properly identify areas of high pressure and areas of low pressure on current U.S.A. surface maps.
3. Students will begin to develop an understanding of weather associated with high pressure and low pressure areas.

National Science Education Standards: All students should develop an understanding of: properties of objects and materials, properties of earth materials, and changes in earth and sky.