Cost of Living, What's the Ecosystem Worth?

Mrs. Brooks' science classes kicked off their ecosystems unit with this driving question: "Does the soil around Cario Middle have healthy enough soil to grow a crop of corn?" Students were asked to collect soil from various areas around Cario Middle and analyze the ph levels in the soil using Vernier probes. 
After learning about the impact of development (and there is quite a lot of it going on in Mount Pleasant), and understanding ph levels (5-7 is a healthy ph level), students had this to say about the ecosystem where they live:
George: "I want to try to protect it (ecosystem)."
Avery: "I think there will be more extinct species because people are unaware and some people (developers) just don't care."
Sienne: "Doing this project shows me how bad the condition of our ecosystem is in."
Caroline: "This unit has taught me how important (the condition of) soil is to our animals as well as people."
Will: "It helps us learn more about how to protect the ecosystem not just wanting to protect it"
Students are beginning to build their own 3 chamber ecosystems this week (complete with live animals!), and will continue on to Pitt Street Bridge to build their very own oyster farm! Mrs. Brooks definitely puts the WOW factor into learning! Thank you Mrs. Brooks for all that you do!
-Rebecca Roemer