Ropes and their uses for the sailor are the focus of this unit. Students begin the study by taking apart a section of rope and putting it back together, testing strength at various stages. They also practice tying different knots and learn about the uses of ropes in sailing. After investigating the mechanics of a block and tackle, students…

Presented are a student workbook and teacher's manual for a unit which combines a study of water pollution with instruction in critical reading skills. In the two activities students study the types and effects of pollution in Lake Erie. At the same time they learn how to read critically, evaluate their reading skills, and analyze written material…

The disappearance of planes and ships in the Great Lakes area is the focus of the three activities in this unit. Activity A involves studying the locations of missing craft and personnel. Activity B, which treats the loss of the freighter Edmund Fitzgerald as an example of a Great Lakes tragedy, consists of plotting bathymetric contours,…

Described in this unit are three activities related to classification and fish identification. In the first activity students design and use a dichotomous key to common classroom items, while Activity B involves the construction of a key to Lake Erie fish families. During Activity C, each student writes a story and draws a humorous picture of a…

In this unit students examine Old Woman Creek National Estuarine Sanctuary on Lake Erie to study the characteristics and importance of estuaries in general. Activities include the analysis of a pictured plankton sample, a transect study using computer data, a consideration of the ecological roles of various estuarine species, and a discussion of…

This investigation focuses on the life cycle of the yellow perch, the factors which can affect perch populations at each stage of the life cycle, and the methods used to manage Lake Erie perch populations. The investigation is presented in the form of a teachers' guide and a students' guide. It consists of two games related to the management of…