Kickstart conversations about deforestation with a hands-on activity that lets students step into the roles of environmental engineers.

GUIDING QUESTIONS
How does the removal of a large number of trees impact the natural environment?

LEARNING OBJECTIVES
Students will be able to:
• explore impacts on land and soil using models.
• design solutions for environmentally friendly communities.

OVERVIEW
In session one, students are introduced to the main reasons humans remove large areas of
trees from the natural environment. At different stations, young scientists explore the impacts on land/soil using a hill, tree, and rain models to test their predictions about the movement of soil on the hill before and after deforestation. Students draw conclusions about the important role of trees in soil stabilization. In session two, students manipulate a model to portray the most environmentally friendly way to install six homes on a forested plot. Students generate design solutions based on assigned criteria and use evidence to justify their choices. To challenge students, the scenario is modified. Students reevaluate their solutions to determine if there is a need to redesign.

Grades K – 2