Hart Measurment Workshop --- Session I

Goal: Prepare for field work this spring

Objectives:

• Use cm rule for measuring handsize organisms
• Use yardstick for measuring transects
• Use micrometer (CellVu hemoyctometer) for measuring microscopic organisms

Items to measure:

• Gummi worms, pretzels, jelly beans
• Images of microscopic pond and stream organisms

Start with macro measures

1. Students use rulers to measure and estimate to 0.1 mm (judgment below the lowest marking)
2. Set up data table
3. Class combines data and gets frequency range and mean
4. Plot data

How do you measure something with an irregular shape?

Microscopic measures

1. Using the microscope
2. Working with magnification
3. Using a scale

Wacky ruler and fun models to measure

Microorganisms

Daphnia http://ebiomedia.com/gall/classics/classics.html	Paramecium http://ebiomedia.com/gall/classics/Paramecium/paramecium1.html

scale bar = 50 micrometers
Using protozoa to monitor water quality http://www.nhm.ac.uk/zoology/ciliate/	http://www.durr.demon.co.uk/volvox.html

rotifer, 250X magnification	cheek cell 400X

Using protozoa to monitor water quality http://www.nhm.ac.uk/zoology/ciliate/

Water purification resources http://www.sciencenetlinks.com/lessons.cfm?BenchmarkID=11&DocID=275