Ecological Design Challenge: Cape May Court House

• In this activity, students will design a plan to stabilize and enhance the tidal estuary of the Green Creek Watershed, where it meets the Delaware Bay. 
  
• This area was damaged by Superstorm Sandy, and the plan must include the creation of a dune that will protect and enhance the wildlife habitat and a method for monitoring the site. 
• This activity is based on one of the NJ Department of Environmental Protection's Living Shorelines projects. 
  

Positives

• This project encourages students to use their critical thinking and problem-solving skills.
• The activity is based on a real location with real challenges.
  

Additional Prerequisites

• Teachers may want to discuss the types of sustainable structures that can help prevent flooding and erosion before students begin the activity.
• This NJ DEP site provides photographs, site assessments, permitting documents, and other information about the projects.
• Teachers may want to share this rubric with students so students are clear about the teacher's expectations for the activity.
  

Differentiation

• Students could work individually, in pairs, or in small groups.
• Teachers could extend the activity into a larger project, including three-dimensional models, posters, slideshows, or diagrams to explain their plans.
• Engineering and design classes could pair with science and biology classes to come up with joint solutions that incorporate the habitat requirements, ecosystem benefits, and physical requirements of the project.
• Other resources on this topic include this video about sea level rise in New Jersey and this interactive map from NASA showing annual sea levels for the world.