Curriculum
We believe that students living in the Hudson River watershed should use this amazing, beautiful local resource to learn about ecosystem concepts. The materials within these modules are designed to help teachers in high school classrooms engage their students in learning about the river. Many lessons include data sets from scientists who have been studying the river for years.
Find out how the Changing Hudson lessons relate to NYS standards and the topics within AP Environmental Science .
The Hudson River Ecosystem:
Divided into three sections, this module introduces students to the ecosystem concept using the river as a common theme. Students begin by learning about Hudson River geology, tides, and the watershed concept. Then, students think about food webs in the river, ecosystem disturbance, and the nitrogen cycle. Finally, students engage in several outdoor investigations to learn how to measure ecosystem change over time.
Invasive Species:
Students investigate three major change agents in the Hudson River: the zebra mussel, water chestnut, and common reed. Introductory lessons are also included to help students think about the changes invasive species can cause throughout the world.
Weather & Climate:
The weather section of this module asks students to think about the consequences of extreme weather on local aquatic systems, and uses data from a local hurricane. The climate section examines long-term data on the increasing temperature of the Hudson River, and provides background materials for teachers interested in teaching climate change.
Pollution:
The Hudson River has become remarkably cleaner over time, reducing the amount of sewage that enters into the system. However, some problems remain, including salt pollution. These lessons introduce students to the concept of water quality monitoring and include lessons on eutrophication, land use and water quality, and bottle water.
Land Use Change:
Using paleoecology, students can learn how the region has changed since the last glaciation. Students use aerial photos and experiments to understand how land use is related to ecosystem health.
