Recommended Grade Level: 8th Grade

Description: In this lesson, students will explore how the Florida Keys Mosquito Control District conducts aerial operations to reduce mosquito populations across the Florida Keys. Students will learn how FKMCD helicopters apply mosquito control products to target areas ensuring effective and environmentally responsible mosquito control. This lesson includes an aerial reconnaissance activity where students will simulate how flight paths are planned and treatment areas are identified and a Droplet Characterization Lab where students will analyze how droplet size affects treatment efficiency, accuracy, and coverage.

Sunshine State Education Standards:

• SC.8.P.8.2 Differentiate between weight and mass recognizing that weight is the amount of gravitational pull on an object and is distinct from, though proportional to, mass.
• SC.8.P.8.3 Explore and describe the densities of various materials through measurement of their masses and volumes.
• SC.8.P.8.9 Distinguish among mixtures (including solutions) and pure substances.
• SC.8.N.1.2 Design and conduct a study using repeated trials and replication.
• SC.8.N.1.3 Use phrases such as "results support" or "fail to support" in science, understanding that science does not offer conclusive 'proof' of a knowledge claim.
• SC.8.N.4.2 Explain how political, social, and economic concerns can affect science, and vice versa.