Pawnee State Park Trip & Salt Creek

Reflect on the experience of Pawnee state park and/or Salt Creek water quality monitoring. Explain what was positive about the experience and how it has changed or reinforced your views of the outdoors.

Ecological Footprint Information and Data

Here is your opportunity to comment of current events that affect our world. We will be visiting this site throughout the term as a source of discussion outside of class time. You are expected to be professional and factual in your discussions. Please add your Ecological Footprint data/assignment below. Thank you in advance for your attention to DETAIL. You may not post images or graphs, so you must explain the data versus siply copy and past. Enjoy.

Mr. Bittle

Nature Night at Clinton Elementary

Read the entries below about nature night and write your reflection.

Environmental History Entry

In this entry, you will be highlighting 2 to 3 major events throughout human history that have helped shape our planet positively or negatively with respect to the environment. For example, I will choose TWO specific events, actually books, that have been critical to helping start an environmental conscience in the modern world. Some people may view these choices as insignificant on a larger scale of global impact, however I disagree due to the fact the two books below increased awareness of the human role in nature and the impacts we have on ALL living and non-living systems. Not only do the books speak to the layperson, but they also speak to the scientific community as a whole, sparking new debates and new ideas.

Book 1: Silent Spring by Rachel Carson. The book was first published in 1962 and has since been reprinted numerous times. Carson was a scientist by academic standards and a passionate observer of the natural world around her. She began noticing declines in bird populations and while discussing this among colleagues from around the U.S., she began pulling research from multiple sources to prove the cause of bird decline was the uncontrolled use of pesticides, particularly DDT. Her book is really a scientific paper and novel hybrid, which she meticulously cited all her sources of information and placed at the back of the book for ease of reading. She had been criticized for this form of publication, but the audience was the public, not just the scientific community. Her book help inspire the modern environmental movement that has spread throughout the globe. If given the chance, you should read Silent Spring.

Book 2: Our Stolen Future: are we threatening our fertility, intelligence, and survival? A scientific Detective Story. By Theo Colborn, Dianne Dumanoski, and John Peterson Myers. First published in 1996, the group of researchers focused on the development of endocrine disruptors and wrote the book in narrative form similar to what Rachel Carson did in Silent Spring. The book Our Stolen Future is one of frightening context in which hormone mimicking toxins are described in detail. The fear that can be generated from this book is palpable as it clearly chronicles the types and amounts of toxins found in everyday items and how they enter and interact with our bodies. The content of the book can be a bit heavy to read but it is explained well enough for most people. Since the book's publication, the U.S. has changed governmental policy to aid in the research of endocrine disruptors. If you are looking for a modern (yes it is still modern even for a 1996 book) look at what chemicals affect the human population of the earth, please read the book. It has a high probability to change your life. For more information about the book and the research, go to http://www.ourstolenfuture.org/

Have a good read.

Mr. Bittle

Term 4, 2011 Environmental Studies First Entry

You will be entering your results from your Carbon Footprint. You must sign up for a Google account (gmail). It is free and will allow you to post comments when assigned. This will be graded, so do not forget to post your comments. You can even type in a word document then copy and paste into the field for leaving comments. You can look at past entries if you like, but focus on your OWN current class in order to compare your Ecological Footprint.

You are not able to post pictures or videos, only I can post them. Enjoy the public forum and YES YOUR PARENTS CAN AND WILL READ YOUR ENTRIES!! Only place your first name on the entry, NO LAST names unless a first initial due to duplicate first names.

Sincerely,
Mr. Bittle

Camping and River Research Term 1, 2010

I expect two different responses on this page. You will be responding to ONE of the following:

1. In three paragraphs, explain 3 significant aspects of the research you conducted on the Platte or Missouri River. These should be complete thoughts with each paragraph explaining a new aspect.

2. In three or MORE paragraphs, reflect on the camping trip to Indian Caves State Park. Your reflection should focus on YOUR experiences, such as hiking, backpack (difficulties or not), setting up camp, food, night hikes, caves, river, CARLOS, haunted hay rack ride, fire, sleeping, owls, boat ramp, etc.

I will say that the trip was a very fun and relaxing adventure. Thank you all for attending and making the outdoor experience part of your educational experience.

Sincerely,
Mr. Bittle

Everett Nature Night Reflection & microbe update

So now all of you have attended at least one Nature Night. This one however was a more spread out and had much nicer weather. I was once again very impressed with your level of involvement and dedication to increasing outdoor awareness in young children and parents. WAY TO GO SOUTHWEST!!!! Also a shout out to Northstar and their work with the NRD stations.

Once again I am asking you to reflect on the evening. No other guidance will be provided other than be honest, exact and speak from the heart.

SECONDLY: Explain your microbe experiment with oil. You will be publishing your results on this blog later.

Mr. Bittle

First Nature Night Reflection

Well that was fun wasn't it! Just over half of the Environmental Studies class participated in their first Nature Night ever. Although McKenzie Barry has been organizing the Nature Nights for a few years now, the 12 Environmental Studies students who participated on Thursday, September 23, found out first hand how exciting these events can be.

I would like to say a very public THANK YOU to the Lower Platte South NRD for allowing high school students to participate in such a worth while event.


So finally here's the assignment:

This is your moment to reflect on your experience at the Hartley Elementary Nature Night. You will get no other direction other than to write about the evening and cover at least TWO paragraphs. Write more if you would like as this reflection is about you and your experience. The photos are for your inspiration.

Platte River State Park Trip Reflection

Here's your opportunity to reflect on the day trip to the Platte River State Park. Please write THREE paragraphs (5-6 sentences each) about your experience at the Park. Remember that the trip was possible due to a grant from the Lower Platte South Natural Resource District. Also, special thanks to the Nebraska Game and Parks Boating Law Administrator Herb Angell.

Mr. Bittle

Dose Response Experiment (LD50) and Nature Night Preparation

So far you have worked with some interesting chemicals completing a traditional Environmental Inquiry using Duckweed (Lemna) for a Bioassay. Not only have you performed a standard lab, you have also been preparing a non-traditional method of learning Environmental Studies by creating an educational presentation for elementary students and their families.

Your response in today's blog (September 20th) will cover the said two topics. First, you will reflect on the Duckweed Bioassay, so answer the following questions: What good will knowing the LD50 of a specific chemical on a small aquatic plant called Duckweed? How effective or valid is this type of experiment in understanding the role humans have in the environment? Explain to the general public how to interpret the results of your experiment.

Second you will reflect on your progression of creating an educational presentation for Hartley and Elliot Elementary Schools. Answer the following questions: What are YOUR expectations for the Nature Night you will participate in? Why is it important to engage children in the natural world? Predict the impact your presentation will have on the children who visit your booth. Explain to a loved one or another adult who is close to you, the local and global importance of something as simple as a Nature Night presentation.

Be exact and honest with your explanations. I expect nothing less.

Sincerely,
Mr. Bittle

Historical Events That Help Shape Our Environmental Conscience

In this entry, you will be highlighting 2 to 3 major events throughout human history that have helped shape our planet positively or negatively with respect to the environment. For example, I will choose TWO specific events, actually books, that have been critical to helping start an environmental conscience in the modern world. Some people may view these choices as insignificant on a larger scale of global impact, however I disagree due to the fact the two books below increased awareness of the human role in nature and the impacts we have on ALL living and non-living systems. Not only do the books speak to the layperson, but they also speak to the scientific community as a whole, sparking new debates and new ideas.

Book 1: Silent Spring by Rachel Carson. The book was first published in 1962 and has since been reprinted numerous times. Carson was a scientist by academic standards and a passionate observer of the natural world around her. She began noticing declines in bird populations and while discussing this among colleagues from around the U.S., she began pulling research from multiple sources to prove the cause of bird decline was the uncontrolled use of pesticides, particularly DDT. Her book is really a scientific paper and novel hybrid, which she meticulously cited all her sources of information and placed at the back of the book for ease of reading. She had been criticized for this form of publication, but the audience was the public, not just the scientific community. Her book help inspire the modern environmental movement that has spread throughout the globe. If given the chance, you should read Silent Spring.

Book 2: Our Stolen Future: are we threatening our fertility, intelligence, and survival? A scientific Detective Story. By Theo Colborn, Dianne Dumanoski, and John Peterson Myers. First published in 1996, the group of researchers focused on the development of endocrine disruptors and wrote the book in narrative form similar to what Rachel Carson did in Silent Spring. The book Our Stolen Future is one of frightening context in which hormone mimicking toxins are described in detail. The fear that can be generated from this book is palpable as it clearly chronicles the types and amounts of toxins found in everyday items and how they enter and interact with our bodies. The content of the book can be a bit heavy to read but it is explained well enough for most people. Since the book's publication, the U.S. has changed governmental policy to aid in the research of endocrine disruptors. If you are looking for a modern (yes it is still modern even for a 1996 book) look at what chemicals affect the human population of the earth, please read the book. It has a high probability to change your life. For more information about the book and the research, go to http://www.ourstolenfuture.org/

Have a good read.

Mr. Bittle

Welcome to Environmental Studies

Here is your opportunity to comment of current events that affect our world. We will be visiting this site throughout the term as a source of discussion outside of class time. You are expected to be professional and factual in your discussions. Please add your Ecological Footprint data/assignment below. Thank you in advance for your attention to DETAIL. Enjoy.


Here's my data in graph form. It really needs to be lower!

Try a Footprint quiz for yourself http://www.myfootprint.org/

Mr. Bittle