Starbase Victory - Envirobase Aquarius: 5th Grade

ENVIROBASE Aquarius - a Fifth Grade Program

Fifth graders explore the local environment at ENVIROBASE Aquarius. The first day they receive a green t-shirt and write their call sign on the t-shirt. For the fun filled five days they will be known by this call sign.
The students use the GLOBE protocols (Global Learning and Observations to Benefit the Environment). Working together they use digital media to document their findings and create a video showing how they conducted their research and present possible solutions for concerns they discovered.
The children answer these essential questions:

What is the human impact on the natural environment?
What is the impact of the natural phenomena on local environment?
What are the local weather patterns over time and what is the effect of natural cycles on the local environment?
How does our local environment compare to other areas of the nation/world?

What are GLOBE protocols?
GLOBE (Global Learning and Observations to Benefit the Environment) began operations in 1995, the GLOBE network now includes 109 participating countries and 20,000 schools. Over 16 million measurements are input in the GLOBE database for use in inquiry-based science projects.
ENVIROBASE Aquarius uses the GLOBE protocols as the method of all their scientific investigations. They share their findings by placing them on this database. Worldwide students and scientists share the data input. (http://www.globe.gov).
Components of the program:

Exploring the Elizabeth River Watershed

Students learn about estuaries and the biodiversity of the Elizabeth River. They go to City Park to collect hydrologic and atmospheric data (DO, temperature, pH, cloud coverage and cloud type). Each class has an estuary tank with fish from the Elizabeth River for the students to observe.

Atmospheric Measurements

Students learn the dynamics of the atmosphere: atmospheric temperature, pressure, humidity, cloud cover, cloud type, and precipitation. They test properties of water by measuring salinity, dissolved oxygen, pH, and temperature of the atmosphere. They document their findings on the GLOBE database.

Daily Measurements

The children take measurements at the GLOBE instrument station within +1 and -1 of solar noon. These measurements of input are uploaded to the GLOBE database.

DVD Creation

Windows Movie Maker Software to create their videos. This software, which is installed on all Portsmouth City Schools computers, allows for the addition of still shots, video, voice over narration, slide insertion and exporting to a DVD making program. Two students work together to create their own DVD. The DVDs are shared with the class and the students use Peer Rubric Voting (what is this?) to determine who had the best presentation. The students who win receive a Lizzie award.