Tree Growth

Objective: To create a one or two-day class activity for middle school students centered on tree identification and tree growth on their school campus. The primary SOL covered is: Students will plan and conduct scientific investigations.

Day 1

1. Why Trees are Important
   1. State hypothesis idea and post questions
      1. How many tree species will you find on your school campus?
      2. Is this a good number?
   2. Why are trees important?
      1. Provide habitat, oxygen output, fuel, industry
   3. Why are trees important to me?
      1. Fisheries Science
      2. Riparian cover crucial to aquatic habitat
      3. Leaf litter provides resources and food to aquatic organisms
2. Tree ID

1. ID tree
   1. Distribute leaf pattern handouts, ID key
   2. Explain Key to tree ID
   3. Large, small damaged, poor environment, edge habitat? Etc.
2. Go outside and ID trees on campus
3. Answer/re-examine hypothesis

DAY 2

1. Hypothesis
   1. What trees would you expect to be the largest now, or in the future?
   2. What environmental variables may affect this?
2. Tree Growth
   1. What may affect tree growth?
      1. Light
      2. Water
      3. Nutrients
      4. Damage
3. Tree Measurement
   1. How do we measure a tree?
      1. Focus on diameter
         1. explain breast height
         2. d-tape, (1” = 3.14”) data sheets
      2. Focus on height
         1. Overview of measurement idea
         2. Relate to doctor
   2. Measure various trees (1 tree/ student pair)
      1. Diameter
      2. Any damage or obvious defects?
4. Data in the classroom
   1. Student Hypothesis
      1. Based on what was seen
      2. Post to web
   2. Pool data results
      1. Use data table
      2. Create figures of trees on campus (day 2) post to web
   3. Draw Conclusions
      1. Answer hypothesis questions
5. Questions/reflection pd.