Mining and Water Quality Environmental Issue
Standards 1, 2.1, 3.1, 3.2, 4.2, 4.3, 5, and 6

There are issues with the water quality in the Snake River - students will investigate what that issue is and the possible causes. Students studying this environmental issue learn problem solving and critical thinking skills in the context of determining what is causing poor water quality in the Snake River adjacent to Keystone Science School and how to clean it up in a way that meets the needs of many community members.

The scientific method is used as a decision-making framework during the field day. During the evenings, students explore the social and economical aspects of the issue.

Students participate in a town meeting that brings together stakeholders from all sides of this issue. Each student takes on the values, beliefs and perspectives of a different stakeholder at this meeting. This meeting allows students to participate in a collaborative decision-making and conflict resolution process with their peers. There are no subject areas(s) to prioritize when choosing this theme.

Curriculum Units:
Colorado mining
Chemical Water Testing
Biological Sampling
Physical Characteristics of Aquatic Environments
Colorado Watersheds
Human Impacts on Aquatic Environments
Scientific Method/Research
Role-playing - Town Meeting
Conflict resolution and Consensus building

Available May-October |Environmental Issues themes are restricted to students in grade 6 or higher

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Academic Themes:

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forest ecology

fire ecology

wolf management

aquatic ecology

mining & water quality

earth science

snow science