The Arizona STEM Acceleration Project

How Did the Elk Cross the Road?

How Did the Elk Cross the Road? An Arizona Game & Fish STEM Challenge

A 5th grade STEM lesson

Tina Kennedy

6/29/23

Notes for teachers

• Arizona Game & Fish presented this lesson at a summer ASAP PD conference at GCU.
• Here is the video link of the lesson: Game & Fish Lesson Video
• A worksheet has not been added to their website yet but I will add here when available

List of Materials

• Handout of mile marker map with high incidents of vehicle collisions with elk added to students Google Classroom.
• Handouts of elk collision data by milepost number added to students Google Classroom.
• Google Form for groups to select where they would place 3 bridges for elk to go under the freeway added to students Google Classroom.
• Student Chromebooks

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Standards

Science 5.L4U3.11

Obtain, evaluate, and communicate evidence about how natural and human-caused changes to habitats or climate can impact populations.

Math 5.G.A.2

Represent real-world and mathematical problems by graphing points in the first quadrant of the coordinate plane, and interpret coordinate values of points in the context of the situation.

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Standards

NGSS - 3-5-ETS1-2. Generate and compare multiple possible solutions to a problem based on how well each is likely to meet the criteria and constraints of the problem.

Objective(s):

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Today we will brainstorm some ways to decrease these injuries and deaths of elk and drivers.

Today we will analyze data about elk being injured or killed crossing Arizona State Route 260.

Today we will recommend and collect data where to place bridges to decrease vehicle collisions with elk.

Today we will share how fencing can prohibit elk from crossing where there are no bridges

Today we will construct arguments and critique the reasoning of others.

Today we will synthesize if the data for elk collisions with cars decreased after the bridges were created.

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Agenda (40 minutes)

Share map of the state of Arizona to locate Interstate 260

Review data of VEC’s

Brainstorm solutions when Interstate 260 being widened

Choose 3 locations from mile marker data where bridges should be located

Share data and results

Intro/Driving Question/Opening

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A busy road near Payson, State Route 260, is being widened to allow more cars and less traffic. While the Interstate is being widened, let’s take care of another problem. Elk are living in their natural habitat with the road cutting through their forest. Unfortunately, each year cars hit elk running across the freeway. How can we make elk crossings safer for them and vehicles?

Yellow pins are State Route 260 east of Payson, AZ

Phoenix

Hands-on Activity Instructions

• Create groups of 3
• Students will locate an assignment in their Google Classroom that has the map with mile posts under consideration for bridges
• Students will also open the data document showing how many VEC’s per mile post
• In their groups, analyze the data and map and choose 3 locations to add bridges to encourage elk to go under the road for safety.
• Students will complete a Google Form to share there 3 mile post locations then whole class we will discuss the group recommendations
• Vote on bridge design
• Share results of State Route 260 improvements and bridge design

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Google Form Link for Group Votes

Elk Bridge Form

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Which underpass are the elk using most?

Did fencing and bridges reduce elk collisions?

Assessment

I will open the Google form to share the class data. After analyzing the data and looking for similarities and differences in the voting data, I will share that all the mile posts were able to have bridges

I will share the two different bridge designs and students will discuss which bridge would elk prefer. I will share which bridge the Arizona Game & Fish implemented.

Student/Group Assessment:

• Were students on task and participating?
• Were students able to justify their answer
• Were students respectful of others’ opinions and reasoning

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Differentiation

Typically I mix up student groups for activities.

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Second-language learners may choose a partner within their group for language support.

Remediation

Extension/Enrichment

Prior to voting on a underpass bridge that elk would use, an extension activity would be for students to create an underpass bridge. Students should take into consideration landscaping, sound, length, and width of their bridge to make their design wildlife friendly.

Citations

Images from pics4learning.com

Lesson and images from Arizona Game & Fish Dept.

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