Saving the Beach

Coastal erosion is a worldwide problem and threatens much of North America’s coastlines and beaches. Studies show that In Massachusetts, over 65% of the coastline is eroding while 86% of California’s 1,120 miles of coastline are actively eroding.

Today, students took a closer look at beach erosion, as they became coastal engineers: brainstorming, planning and designing prototypes to slow beach erosion. The lesson began with a review of what erosion is and what causes a beach to erode.  Then students discussed how erosion affects a beach and its ‘stakeholders’.  Students worked in small groups to build erosion solutions on their model beaches.  Classmates examined and evaluated all of the engineering projects and decided which prototype designs worked the best at protecting the beach. 

Take a moment to check out the photos from today’s classes. You will be impressed with the creative engineering solutions!

 

Salvemos la Playa

La erosión costera es un problema en el mundo entero y amenaza la mayoría de las playas y costas de América del Norte. Estudios han demostrado que en Massachusetts más del 65% de la costa está erosionada. Por otro lado, el 86% de las 1.120 millas de costa Californiana, está sufriendo un proceso de erosión activa (http://www.beachapedia.org).

Hoy los estudiantes se convirtieron en ingenieros costeros y estudiaron más de cerca el fenómeno de erosión en las playas. Los estudiantes planificaron y diseñaron prototipos para enlentecer el proceso de erosión. La clase comenzó con una introducción sobre la erosión, sus causas y luego discutimos acerca cómo la erosión afecta a la playa y también a la gente. Grupos de estudiantes trabajaron en playas modelos y construyeron prototipos para solucionar la erosión. Finalmente, entre todos los compañeros examinaron y evaluaron todos los proyectos de ingeniería y decidieron cuál de los prototipos funcionaría mejor para proteger las playas.

Tómese el tiempo de revisar las fotos de la lección del día de hoy. ¡Se impresionará con las creativas soluciones de los estudiantes!

 

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Leighann

Leighann Sullivan earned her BS in Biology from Cornell University. For a number of years she taught math, science, and language skills at a secondary school for learning disabled students. She subsequently earned her PhD in Biochemistry and Cell Biology from Rice University. Her dissertation was entitled, “Molecular and Genomic Analyses in Clostridium acetobutylicum.” When not pursuing academic interests she enjoys spending time with her family, traveling, reading, and experimenting in the culinary arts.

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