Ecological Design Challenge: Spring Lake
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Provided by: New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection|Published on: June 9, 2022
Activity - ClassroomScientist Reviewed
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Scientist Reviewed This resource has been reviewed by SubjectToClimate's climate scientists and verified for scientific accuracy and up-to-date information. Learn about our review process →
Synopsis
- In this activity, students will design a plan to build a vegetated embankment to stabilize the shoreline and reduce flood damage in Spring Lake, New Jersey.
- The plans must include criteria for successful completion and ideas for how the site will be monitored.
- This activity is a part of New Jersey's Department of Environmental Protection's educational program, Building Ecological Solutions for Coastal Community Hazards.
Subjects: Biology, Engineering, Computer Science
Authors: New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection
Region: North America, USA - Northeast, United States, Jersey Shore, New Jersey
Languages: English
Teaching Materials
Positives
- This activity gives students a chance to use design thinking skills to solve real-world problems.
- The instructions and images of the actual site are included in the PDF.
Additional Prerequisites
- Teachers may want to discuss types of structural features that can help prevent flooding and erosion before students begin the activity.
- This NJ DEP site provides photographs, site assessments, permitting documents, and other information about the project.
- Teachers may want to share this rubric with students to provide clear expectations for the activity.
Differentiation
- Students could work individually, in pairs, or in small groups.
- Teachers could extend the activity into a larger project, including three-dimensional models, posters, slideshows, or diagrams to explain their plans.
- Biology classes could research native plants that have deep enough root systems to keep the vegetated embankment from eroding that can also withstand periodic flooding.
- Science students could discuss the following questions:
- Is it better to use one type of plant on the embankment or a variety of plants?
- Should the embankment be planted with full-grown plants or is it better to use seedlings?
- Are any of the plants susceptible to being eaten by animals or succumbing to disease?
- Other resources on this topic include this TED-Ed video on the dangers of invasive species and this game where students build a town while preserving the health of a lake.
Students will be able to think creatively to innovate ecological solutions to stabilize shorelines from tidal flooding and storm surges. This resource is recommended for teaching.
Teaching Tips
Standards
Resource Type and Format
About the Partner Provider
New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection
Dedicated to improving and protecting public health and the environment, NJDEP uses the best available science to guide the conservation of natural and historic resources, ensure a stable climate and resilient communities, and secure clean and healthy air, water and lands throughout New Jersey. A main priority for NJDEP is to reduce and respond to climate change; hence the commitment to support educators implementing NJ Climate Change Learning Standards in all subject areas, at all grade levels.
Scientist Reviewed
This resource has been reviewed by SubjectToClimate's climate scientists and verified for scientific accuracy and up-to-date information. Our review process ensures that every resource in our library reflects the current state of climate science.
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