Selecting and using equipment

When participating in fieldwork it is important to select the right tools and equipment.

Using fieldwork equipment

Many school assessment tasks require students to not only explain what equipment can be used to measure environmental factors, they also require an understanding of potential sources of measurement error and strategies to minimise bias.

For this reason students are urged to read the video transcipts as well as watch the videos below.

Fieldwork instruments part 1: Air temp, humidity, wind speed, light intensity | YouTube | Field of Mars EEC (2:44min) | Video transcript

Measuring air temperature using the thermometer function of the Kestrel 3000 weather meter
Measuring relative humidity using the hygrometer function of the Kestrel 3000 weather meter
Measuring wind speed using the anemometer function of the Kestrel 3000 weather meter
Measuring light intensity using a light meter
Notes about reliability, potential error and biases

Fieldwork instruments part 2: Soil texture, soil pH and soil temperature | YouTube | Field of Mars EEC (2:49min) | Video transcript

Definition of soil
Determining soil texture using a manual classification method
Measuring soil pH using the saturated paste method
Measuring soil temperature using a soil temperature probe
Handling and disposal of chemical waste
Notes about reliability, potential error and biases

Fieldwork instruments part 3: Slope, aspect, position | YouTube | Field of Mars EEC (2:37min) | Video transcript

Determining slope (gradient) using an inclinometer
Determining position using a GPS or a smartphone app
Determining aspect using a compass
Strategies for ensuring reliable results
Notes about potential error and biases

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Field of Mars Environmental Education Centre

Selecting and using equipment