The PALEO PACKAGE: Using paleolimnology proxies to examine the past climates and address
current topics in global environmental change in a high school setting.
Brittany Federspiel, Faculty Advisor: Dr. Krista Slemmons
Department of Biology, University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point
CASE STUDY
INTRODUCTION
●Paleolimnology is the study
of the sediment record of
freshwater systems to
understand environmental
dynamics over time often
beyond recorded history.
Top - modern
Acid loving
Nitrogen loving
● Fossil diatoms,
microscopic algae, sensitive
to environmental change,
can provide clues as to the
conditions of a lake at a
certain period of time.
CASE STUDY
We propose an interrupted case study examining the role of utilizing
paleolimnology to reconstruct past environments and the historical
importance of this research in the discovery and impact of acid rain.
Figure 4. Examples data provided to
students to examine the role of
government regulation in controlling
acid rain. Figure demonstrates that
sulfate ion deposition over a 20 year
period which has been regulated by
the US government compared to
nitrate ion which has limited
regulation of the time period
indicated (National Park Service
Deposition Program, 2009).
This teaching technique involves presenting a problem to the students,
facilitating questioning among students while progressively providing
addition content and historical context (Figure 2).
Silica loving
Bottom - past
Figure 1. Lake sediment core demonstrating the use of
diatoms as chronological environmental indicators.
LAKE SEDIMENT CORER
METHODS
● We propose high school inquiry based activities centering around
paleolimnology. Package includes:
-the use of an inexpensive lake sediment corer
-methodology for isolating and viewing diatoms inexpensively
and safely.
- data analysis package appropriate for high school students
including diversity indices (i.e. Shannon’s, beta, community
turnover, etc.)
-interrupted clicker case study
● We further include simulated activities and data sets involving a
paleo approach. When students are actively involved in asking
questions and conducting research they begin to cultivate a genuine
interest and long-term retention of a given topic.
Figure 5. Prototype piston
sediment corer, intended
to be inexpensive , easy to
assemble and use in a high
school setting. Instructions
on use, extracting
sediment and processing
diatoms will be included in
the package.
Figure 2. Example flow chart of how to implement an interrupted case study
connecting paleolimnology to historic acid rain research.
FUTURE WORK
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●All accessible online, free of charge to educators at all levels.
RATIONALE
LITERATURE CITED
Use of paleolimnology in the high school classroom can open
new avenues of inquiry.
Smith, R.A. (1852) On the air and rain of Manchester Mem. Lit. Phil. Soc. Manchester,
series 2, 10, 207-217.
Davis, R., Anderson, D., & Berge, F. (1985) Paleolimnological evidence that lake
acidification is accompanied by loss of organic matter. Nature, 316.
Paleolimnological studies can serve as a platform to ask numerous
questions regarding change in landscapes, climate, and atmospheric
Koster et al. (2008) PhD dissertation, University of Laval.
National Park Service, Wet Deposition Program, (2009) http://www.nature.nps.gov/
input over time. For this reason, the discipline is appropriate for the
high school classroom and can serve as a springboard for addressing
topics dealing with global climate change, pollution and politics.
Pilot studies with local high school students.
Identify ways of differentiating for students with exceptionalities.
Launching website with materials.
Figure 3. Example data provided to students for interpretation of diatom inferred pH and
how this can be used to reconstruct past environments. Diatom stratigraphy of Walden
Pond (Köster et. al 2006).
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
Funding provided by University Personnel Development Committee - New faculty Grant, Undergraduate
Education Initiative Grant.