Review

Why do you
think lichens
are such
strong
indicators of
air quality?

General Outline
1. Study site selection- day, second half
explore campus sites
2. Study site visit- 1 day, 20 min/site
3. Write your protocol
4. Execute your protocol- 3 days (50 min/site)
5. Analyze your Data
6. Present your conclusions

1. Study Site Selection

We have a van! As a class
decide on two study sites.
The third study site is
anywhere on our campus.
You must stay south of
State St, north of Pine St,
and between the river and
Walnut St. for time's sake.
Where can you set up a
site that is safe to visit, will
remain undisturbed, and
has enough trees?

Writing your Protocol

We have:

Magnifying glasses

Lichen i.d. book

Rulers and tape

measures, string, etc.
Compass

With your lab partner,

create a sampling protocol
to determine the air quality
of this area.
Use the rubric as a guide or
for hints if you are stuck.
You have two days in class
to write, one additional day
to revise and address my
comments

Writing your protocol:

3

Clarity of writing and

reasoning

Your reasoning of your

described sampling
methods is clearly
explained and backed
with prior knowledge

Your sampling
methods are clearly
explained but could be
better supported by
prior knowledge

Your sampling
methods are not
clearly explained
and/or is not
supported by
background
knowledge

There is no clear stepby-step methodology

and no reasoning to
support your methods

Consistency of
sampling methods

The methods
described are in a
step-by-step format
and allow for
consistency between
each site, i.e. the
same part and amount
of tree is sampled in
each location facing
the same direction.
Results obtained will
be both quantitative
and qualitative.

The methods
described described
are in a step-by-step
format but lack
enough detail to
support consistent
sampling, but the
methods still apply to
each site.
Results obtained will
be both quantitative
and qualitative.

The methods are not

written in a step-bystep format, or cannot
be carried to each
study site.
Results obtained will
be more qualitative, or
only quantitative.

The methods are not

written in a step-bystep format and
cannot be applied to
each study site.

Organization of data
tables

You have prepared

data tables in which to
record quantitative
data in an organized
fashion and left room
for qualitative note
taking/drawing

You have prepared

data tables in which to
record quantitative
data, but it does not
match your methods
100%. You have left
room for qualitative
note taking/drawing.

You have prepared

data tables in which to
record quantitative
data, but it does not
align with your
methods.

Your data tables allow

for qualitative note
taking only.

Part 2: Analyzing Your Data

Now that you've collected all this data what

does it mean?
With your partner, work to create a report that
synthesizes your data to draw a specific
conclusion regarding the quality of the air in
our neighborhood.