The Math Behind Keeping Forests Healthy

In its new micro-documentary, "The Forester," The Futures Channel shows students how Tami Sobol, a forester, uses math and science in her work. Watch the movie: http://www.thefutureschannel.com/dockets/hands-on_math/the_forester/

Burbank, CA (PRWEB) March 19, 2007 -- It's spring in Washington's Cascade Mountains and Tami Sobol is loading up her truck to start the day. She has her chainsaw, snowshoes, bear spray and an ax. She even has a space blanket "just in case I have to spend the night some place." Her office? The forest.

The Futures Channel's latest micro-documentary introduces students to Sobol, a forester for the Plum Creek Timber Company, who manages the acres of trees the company uses to produce lumber. "Having a healthy forest is very important," she explains. "We want to leave the biggest, best-growing trees with the fullest and greenest crowns." By doing so, she says, those "parent" trees produce seeds that become good, younger seedlings.

Often described as video field trips, the movies on The Futures Channel's website introduce students to careers that they may know little or nothing about. "It's an amazing website," says Melissa Herrera, an educational technology specialist from Pasadena, Texas. "This really gives students an opportunity to see real life jobs and activities that apply to lessons they are learning."

In the five-minute movie, "The Forester," Sobol stresses that being a forester requires her to use everything from ratios and proportions to percents and multiplication. "As a forester you're responsible for managing our forests for years to come. A forester does everything from deciding which trees should be left, what trees should be harvested," she explains. The very best thing about her job as a forester, she says, is that "the decisions I make guarantee that we'll have forests a hundred years from now when I have grandkids."

Since 1999, with an emphasis on science, technology, engineering and math, The Futures Channel has found ways to make these subjects engaging while giving students a context and application for what they're learning in the classroom. Beth Blatt, a teacher from Cody, Wyoming, is enthusiastic about the resources. "I have just discovered TheFuturesChannel.com and love it! I can't thank them enough for creating such a wonderful resource for teachers and students. My students were fully engaged and want more!"

Watch the movie:
http://www.thefutureschannel.com/dockets/hands-on_math/the_forester/

For additional information about The Futures Channel, contact:
Jenna Bowles, 818.557.3300

www.thefutureschannel.com

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