Glacial Park: Determine more precisely the difference between a bog, fen, and marsh on the basis of their botanical content, water content, and location. Examine Glacial Parks efforts to restore and maintain the natural ecosystems, and discuss the reasons behind such measures. Model stream erosion problems, such as those found along Nippersink Creek, and discuss preventive measures. Discuss ideas about factors that may affect global climate and contribute to an ice age. These factors are discussed in more detail than this guide in E.C. Pielou, After the Ice Age (1991) and in John Imbrie and Katherine P. Imbrie, Ice Ages – Solving the Mystery (1979).
Montrose Peninsula: Examine old photographs of the beach, and/or obtain sand input information from the city of Chicago. Use these pictures or data to determine whether or not the Montrose spit might ever need to be extended. If so, how often might such an extension need to be made, and how far? Also, find out what type of problems the city faces having tall condominium buildings so close to an active lakefront north of the beaches.
North Avenue Beach: Because sand transport still occurs at North Avenue Beach, discuss with students any alternatives to the groin/submerged wall method used. Would a breakwater to the northeast, such as those found off of Navy Pier to the south, of the shoreline stop erosion and sand transport? Would such a breakwater be worth the changes it would require for recreational boat use on the lake?
Grant Park / The Loop / Chicago River:
There is a great field trip described in Geology Underfoot in Illinois by Ralph
Wiggers that takes a walking tour of the buildings in Chicago, examining the
rock types that make up their façades. Students could learn about rock
types on such a trip and also geography because many of the rocks come from far
away places. What affect does the lake have on climate? There are
several papers discussing the urban heat island and it’s effect on climate, and
how that might apply to the city of Chicago. Historically, the city of
Chicago has many aspects to discuss further, from the original Native American
inhabitants to Al Capone to Michael Jordan, the city is overflowing with
historical figures.
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