Ecological Design Challenge: Cape May Court House
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Provided by: New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection|Published on: June 8, 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 stabilize and enhance the tidal estuary of the Green Creek Watershed, where it meets the Delaware Bay.
- This area was damaged by Superstorm Sandy, and the plan must include the creation of a dune that will protect and enhance the wildlife habitat and a method for monitoring the site.
- This activity is based on one of the NJ Department of Environmental Protection's Living Shorelines projects.
Subjects: Biology, Earth and Space Sciences, Engineering
Authors: New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection
Region: North America, USA - Northeast, United States, Jersey Shore, New Jersey
Languages: English
Teaching Materials
Positives
- This project encourages students to use their critical thinking and problem-solving skills.
- The activity is based on a real location with real challenges.
Additional Prerequisites
- Teachers may want to discuss the types of sustainable structures 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 projects.
- Teachers may want to share this rubric with students so students are clear about the teacher's 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.
- Engineering and design classes could pair with science and biology classes to come up with joint solutions that incorporate the habitat requirements, ecosystem benefits, and physical requirements of the project.
- Other resources on this topic include this video about sea level rise in New Jersey and this interactive map from NASA showing annual sea levels for the world.
The resource is ideal to spur students to design solutions to protect shorelines and watersheds from potential superstorms surge and build an effective mechanism to monitor the impact of the solutions. This 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.
Learn about our review process →
