Field Trips
- Grade Level:
- High School: Ninth Grade through Twelfth Grade
- Subject:
- Science
- State Standards:
- Virginia Science Standards: LS.8, LS.9, ES.6, ES.11, ES.12, BIO.8,
Virginia Mathematics Standards: AFDA.8,
Virginia English Standards: 9.2, 9.6, 9.8
Climate change can be defined as any significant change in the climate lasting for decades or longer. Climate patterns can vary naturally, but today’s climate changes are being accelerated by human activity. Although scientists cannot yet predict with certainty what the long-term impacts from climate change will be, there is ample evidence that climate change effects are already being felt within national parks. Students will research climate change and the potential impact on two salamander species found in Shenandoah National Park, the endangered Shenandoah salamander and the more common red-backed salamander. Students will conduct citizen science field research on the red-backed salamander to compare the two species’ habitat requirements and determine if climate change and competition for habitat are impacting the survival of the Shenandoah and red-backed salamanders. This data will be analyzed back in the classroom and will also be sent to SPARCnet (Salamander Population and Adaptation Research Collaborative Network) for use by scientists in that organization. There are pre-and post-site activities designed to be used with this field trip and teachers can also combine this with a virtual field-trip component. This field trip is recommended for ninth through twelfth grade.
Objective(s)
Following the park experience and classroom activities, the students will be able to
- define climate change and list examples of natural and human-influenced contributors to climate change;
- conduct a salamander population study to determine habitat preferences and favorable environmental conditions for salamanders in Shenandoah National Park;
- analyze data collected in the field to compare location preferences between the red-backed and the Shenandoah salamanders;
- assess/predict the potential impact of climate change and species competition on the survival of the Shenandoah and red-backed salamanders;
- explain the “greenhouse effect” and articulate the connection between atmospheric gases and global temperature;
- determine ways people can reduce their contributions to climate change;
- create a persuasive media campaign to educate others on the impacts of climate change and how people can reduce their carbon footprint.
Standards
State science standards: LS.8, LS.9, ES.6, ES.11, ES.12, BIO.8,
Mathematics Standards: AFDA.8,
State English Standards: 9.2, 9.6, 9.8
▶ Watch the Pre-visit Video
Watch this short video to learn how to prepare your students to perform a salamander transect.
Materials
Download Exploring Earth Science: The Shenandoah Salamander and Climate Change
Last updated: November 19, 2022