The Franklin Institute's Resources for Science Learning Made possible by Unisys
Home (Main Navigation - Resources for Science Learning @ The Franklin Institute)For Learners (Main Navigation - Resources for Science Learning @ The Franklin Institute)For Educators (Main Navigation - Resources for Science Learning @ The Franklin Institute)Leadership (Main Navigation - Resources for Science Learning @ The Franklin Institute)Partnership (Main Navigation - Resources for Science Learning @ The Franklin Institute)About Us (Main Navigation - Resources for Science Learning @ The Franklin Institute)

Scientists in The City

ecosystem \'e-ko-sis-tem\ n : Any group of living and nonliving things interacting with each other.

The city, as an ecosystem, is an ideal classroom for science.

Scientists in the city are students, teachers, families, and science enthusiasts around the world who are investigating the interaction of the natural and manmade worlds. Become a scientist in your own "city" by using these resources, communicating with other "cities," and joining the collaborative.

Throughout the school year, scientists will investigate their own school, their neighborhood, and their city. Join other city scientists and, collectively, investigate the great big ecosystem called Earth.

How to Be "Scientists in The City"

Investigate your ecosystem.

Open the door and step into your ecosystem. Go outside and investigate the closest ecosystem. Ecosystems vary in size. They can be as small as a puddle or as large as the Earth itself.

Use Water in The City to investigate the most precious natural resource in your city. Use the Resource List to support your investigations.

Communicate with other scientists.

Throughout your city, other scientists are always at work, investigating their own little corner of the ecosystem. Communicate with them and you may be able to compare your results.

Share your science.

Publish your ideas and your impressions about being a scientist in the city. Share stories about your ecosystem encounters. Keep a science scrapbook.
Ecosystems grow and reproduce. Cities rise up one brick at a time. Likewise, "Scientists in The City" will change.
So visit often.

"Scientists in The City" is inspired by James Trefil,
author of "A Scientist in the City."

On February 12, 1998, ten thousand students in the School District of Philadelphia celebrated Public Science Day by showcasing their "Scientists in The City" investigations at sites throughout the city.

Follow along with one class as they visited The Franklin Institute.

Public Science Day 1998, a collaboration between AAAS and The Franklin Institute, was presented by Unisys.

"Scientists in The City," the theme for Public Science Day 1998, is a creation of The Science Learning Network, generously supported by Unisys.

Unisys SLN

© 1997 , The Franklin Institute Science Museum. All rights reserved.

GO:
Back to The Franklin Institute