RiverLab Grade 4 Online Guide Training Online Training
River-Lab Grade 4 Online Guide Training
Online Training • Read through each slide and review the summary at the end. • Training is at your own pace. • At the end of Online Training, a link will be provided for you to signup for Outdoor Training, only if you have not already signed up for training. © 2019 Mill River Wetland Committee, Inc. • www. mrwc-fairfield. org
What is River-Lab? © 2019 Mill River Wetland Committee, Inc. • www. mrwc-fairfield. org
River-Lab • River-Lab is a science-based Environmental Studies curriculum. • River-Lab is taught in all Fairfield Public Schools to students in grades 3 through 5 and grade 7. • River-Lab focuses on the river-basin structure of the earth to teach: – geography – geology – the water cycle and groundwater system – habitats – organism adaptations – responsible management of the earth’s resources © 2019 Mill River Wetland Committee, Inc. • www. mrwc-fairfield. org
Program Facts The River-Lab Program makes up one-third of the science curriculum at grades 3 -5, and grade 7. It is regularly revised and updated to the Connecticut Next Generation Science Assessment. © 2019 Mill River Wetland Committee, Inc. • www. mrwc-fairfield. org
River-Lab provides comprehensive, multilesson units to classroom teachers, supported by ongoing teacher training. © 2019 Mill River Wetland Committee, Inc. • www. mrwc-fairfield. org
Classroom lessons are reinforced by study-trips to the Mill River and town estuaries. Over 3000 students participate in River-Lab study-trips every year. © 2019 Mill River Wetland Committee, Inc. • www. mrwc-fairfield. org
Each study-trip is led by trained volunteer guide. River-Lab trains over 500 guides annually. © 2019 Mill River Wetland Committee, Inc. • www. mrwc-fairfield. org
The Role of MRWC Study-trips are organized and run by the River-Lab Program, which is a branch of the Mill River Wetland Committee (MRWC), a 501(c)(3) organization. © 2019 Mill River Wetland Committee, Inc. • www. mrwc-fairfield. org
MRWC was founded in 1967 by Jocelyn Shaw, a Fairfield resident, whose home is in the former Perry’s Mill, inspired her interest in river basin and environmental conservation. She began by leading her own children’s classes on study-trips. © 2019 Mill River Wetland Committee, Inc. • www. mrwc-fairfield. org
Joy’s extensive research became the basis for the science units that make up the River. Lab Program, which has supplied curriculum materials to Fairfield students since 1969. © 2019 Mill River Wetland Committee, Inc. • www. mrwc-fairfield. org
MRWC: Education and Conservation In the late 1960 s and early 1970 s, MRWC promoted purchase of Open Space along the Mill River in Fairfield, Connecticut, and took a leading role in the defense of endangered wetlands. © 2019 Mill River Wetland Committee, Inc. • www. mrwc-fairfield. org
Today, MRWC is a non-profit educational organization mostly run by volunteers funded through membership, individual member donations, grants, and fundraising. © 2019 Mill River Wetland Committee, Inc. • www. mrwc-fairfield. org
River-Lab Grade 4 A Basin in Balance The 4 th grade unit, A Basin in Balance, focuses on the groundwater system* and its role in the river basin system. *also referred to as the underground water system © 2019 Mill River Wetland Committee, Inc. • www. mrwc-fairfield. org
A Basin in Balance The unit builds on the River-Lab unit from Grade 3, in which students studied: • the parts and functions of a river basin system • habitats the river makes • organisms that live in those habitats and their adaptations © 2019 Mill River Wetland Committee, Inc. • www. mrwc-fairfield. org
In the classroom… Power point slides, a student reference book, and inquiry-based lessons are used to teach • the role of the water cycle in a river basin • the formation of rivers and the underground water system • the role of water in changing the land © 2019 Mill River Wetland Committee, Inc. • www. mrwc-fairfield. org
Students develop an understanding that the underground water system is essential in sustaining the web of life in a river basin. © 2019 Mill River Wetland Committee, Inc. • www. mrwc-fairfield. org
Students will examine human management of the environment in a river basin system, and how humans impact life in a river basin system. © 2019 Mill River Wetland Committee, Inc. • www. mrwc-fairfield. org
On the Study-trip… Students construct models to demonstrate how the groundwater system works and how it is connected to the surface. © 2019 Mill River Wetland Committee, Inc. • www. mrwc-fairfield. org
Trained guides lead students through 6 trail points. Students examine habitat factors that either help or hinder the absorption of water into the underground water system. Students develop their science skills as they observe and record information at the trail points. © 2019 Mill River Wetland Committee, Inc. • www. mrwc-fairfield. org
What is Guide Training? © 2019 Mill River Wetland Committee, Inc. • www. mrwc-fairfield. org
Why Do Guides Need Training? • Study-trips are essential to the River-Lab curriculum units. They support and reinforce classroom learning. • Study-trips are led by volunteers (thank you!) • Guide Training is necessary to prepare you to lead study-trips effectively and confidently. © 2019 Mill River Wetland Committee, Inc. • www. mrwc-fairfield. org
Components of Training • Online Training and Outdoor Training • Background information and key concepts covered in the unit in online training • A follow–trip (or shadow trip) is an additional option © 2019 Mill River Wetland Committee, Inc. • www. mrwc-fairfield. org
Outdoor Training takes place on the trail. • You will do an instructional walk-through of the study-trip • You will learn the trail route • You will see how gear is used © 2019 Mill River Wetland Committee, Inc. • www. mrwc-fairfield. org
Follow-Trips • Follow-trips allow new guides to shadow an experienced guide on an actual studytrip with students. • Follow-trips let you see how study-trips “come alive” AND how other guides use the script and manage students. © 2019 Mill River Wetland Committee, Inc. • www. mrwc-fairfield. org
What to Expect on a Study-Trip © 2019 Mill River Wetland Committee, Inc. • www. mrwc-fairfield. org
The Guides • You have a script which details what to do and say at every trail point. Read it over in advance and bring it with you! • Arrive at the River-Lab Area 30 minutes early to help assist Model Leader and prepare materials and gear. • Fill out the Study-Trip report before leaving. • Study-trips are 90 minutes in length. © 2019 Mill River Wetland Committee, Inc. • www. mrwc-fairfield. org
The Students • Students will arrive by bus. • They will already be assigned to groups of 4 -6, and will have name tags. You will be matched with your child’s group. • The class will be greeted by the Model Leader. • Each group of students will be given a clipboard and pencil to use to complete an Observation Sheet at the Trail Points. © 2019 Mill River Wetland Committee, Inc. • www. mrwc-fairfield. org
The study-trip is conducted in 2 parts Whole Class Activity (45 minutes) • Students build and experiment with models of the underground water system. • This lesson is led by the Model Leader. Small Groups travel to 6 Trail Points (45 minutes) • Led by Guides using the script, students demonstrate and examine key concepts though field study. • Approximately 7 - 8 minutes at each trail point. © 2019 Mill River Wetland Committee, Inc. • www. mrwc-fairfield. org
Small group lead by guides © 2019 Mill River Wetland Committee, Inc. • www. mrwc-fairfield. org
Ground Water Model Activity Students will compare groundwater absorption in a developed surface area to absorption in an undeveloped surface area. It’s a lot of FUN and very memorable! © 2019 Mill River Wetland Committee, Inc. • www. mrwc-fairfield. org
Your Role During Class Activity • Manage students: stand near your group and encourage kids to stay focused. • Support the Model Leader as needed. • Each group will participate in the experiment; follow along and be ready to assist in building models, pouring water, or measuring results. © 2019 Mill River Wetland Committee, Inc. • www. mrwc-fairfield. org
Students simulate precipitation on the surface of the “developed” underground water model. What happens to the rainwater that falls on buildings and roads? Students simulate precipitation on the surface of the “natural” underground water model. What happens to the rainwater that falls in the pond and on trees? © 2019 Mill River Wetland Committee, Inc. • www. mrwc-fairfield. org
Trail Points There are 6 Trail Points to visit with your group. Each has an activity to complete. 1. Productive shoreline observation 2. Non-productive shoreline observation 3. Plants and the Water Cycle 4. Natural Debris 5. Natural Debris (developed area) 6. Human Impact © 2019 Mill River Wetland Committee, Inc. • www. mrwc-fairfield. org
Trail Routes • Each guide is assigned to one of the 4 routes so that groups have space to work and move. Sign up for your route when you sign up for your study-trip. • All routes do the same Trail Point activities, but in varying sequences and locations. • All Trail Points are clearly marked with flags. • Outdoor Training will cover the Trail Points and routes in detail. © 2019 Mill River Wetland Committee, Inc. • www. mrwc-fairfield. org
Your Role Along the Trail • Use the River-Lab script to lead students through the Trail Point Activities. • Follow your Route. • Help students fill out their group Observation Sheet at each Trail Point. • Encourage all kids to participate and share their observations and conclusions. • Let kids take the lead as much as possible in answering questions and explaining concepts. © 2019 Mill River Wetland Committee, Inc. • www. mrwc-fairfield. org
Observation Sheet © 2019 Mill River Wetland Committee, Inc. • www. mrwc-fairfield. org
Observation Sheet © 2019 Mill River Wetland Committee, Inc. • www. mrwc-fairfield. org
Remember… • You will present experiences and guide the students through steps. • The students themselves should observe and explain what they learn. • Your script will provide the content you need to cover. Bring it with you! © 2019 Mill River Wetland Committee, Inc. • www. mrwc-fairfield. org
Scientific Inquiry © 2019 Mill River Wetland Committee, Inc. • www. mrwc-fairfield. org
Scientific Inquiry “Tell me and I will forget; show me and I will remember; involve me and I will understand. ” Chinese proverb • Scientific Inquiry is a method of teaching and learning science. • River-Lab units are designed with an inquiry-based approach. © 2019 Mill River Wetland Committee, Inc. • www. mrwc-fairfield. org
Inquiry-based science instruction… Engages students in the process of doing investigations. Encourages students to ask questions and use their observations to construct reasonable explanations for the questions posed. © 2019 Mill River Wetland Committee, Inc. • www. mrwc-fairfield. org
Basic Skills of Scientific Inquiry • • Observing Classifying and sequencing Communicating Measuring Predicting Hypothesizing Inferring Interpreting, analyzing, and evaluating data © 2019 Mill River Wetland Committee, Inc. • www. mrwc-fairfield. org
Uses of Scientific Inquiry To make connections with world situations To encourage an active, problem-solving approach to thinking and learning To apply math skills To review what is already known in light of experimental evidence To propose answers, explanations and predictions To use tools to gather, analyze and interpret data © 2019 Mill River Wetland Committee, Inc. • www. mrwc-fairfield. org
Experience the Concept on the Trail Inquiry Language Questions to ask students • • • Why do you think so? What is your evidence? How are they alike or different? How could you find out? I wonder if… What do you think will happen if… © 2019 Mill River Wetland Committee, Inc. • www. mrwc-fairfield. org
Experience the Concept on the Trail Responses to students • • You must have thought about that. That’s interesting. Thank you. I see. Repeat their statement. That’s a possibility. Nod or smile. © 2019 Mill River Wetland Committee, Inc. • www. mrwc-fairfield. org
The Water Cycle
You remember the basics… • Condensation: water changes from vapor to liquid when heat is taken away • Precipitation: any form of water that falls from clouds to Earth (rain, snow, sleet, hail) • Evaporation: process of changing from liquid to vapor when heat is added The SUN is the agent! © 2019 Mill River Wetland Committee, Inc. • www. mrwc-fairfield. org
© 2019 Mill River Wetland Committee, Inc. • www. mrwc-fairfield. org
On the Earth’s Surface • Freshwater is stored on the Earth’s surface in lakes, ponds and wetlands. • Runoff is rainwater or snowmelt that flows over the land into rivers and streams, lakes, ponds, wetlands, and oceans. © 2019 Mill River Wetland Committee, Inc. • www. mrwc-fairfield. org
Did you know? • Interception is the process in which precipitation collects on surfaces, such as plant parts. • Transpiration is the process by which water evaporates through tiny holes in a plant’s leaves. • Infiltration is the downward movement of water from the land surface into the soil or porous rock. • Groundwater discharge is the movement of water out of the ground, as in springs. © 2019 Mill River Wetland Committee, Inc. • www. mrwc-fairfield. org
Have you ever been swimming in a lake and suddenly felt a burst of cold water? That’s GROUNDWATER DISCHARGE. Water stored in the ground (under the lake “floor” or in the sides of the lake) can enter the lake. It is colder because it hasn’t been exposed to the sun. © 2019 Mill River Wetland Committee, Inc. • www. mrwc-fairfield. org
© 2019 Mill River Wetland Committee, Inc. • www. mrwc-fairfield. org
Trail Points #1 and #2 © 2019 Mill River Wetland Committee, Inc. • www. mrwc-fairfield. org
Experience the Concept on the Trail Points #1 and #2: Shoreline Observation Students observe and rate the productivity of two contrasting shoreline areas. One shoreline has many plants, and natural debris. The other has bare soil and exposed roots. Note that plants along the shoreline provide food, habitat materials, hold soil to prevent erosion, and help contribute to the groundwater supply. Plants= Productivity! © 2019 Mill River Wetland Committee, Inc. • www. mrwc-fairfield. org
Trail Point #3 © 2019 Mill River Wetland Committee, Inc. • www. mrwc-fairfield. org
Experience the Concept on the Trail Point #3: Plants and the Water Cycle Students will use spray bottles to simulate rainfall on plants. Focus on water cycle concepts (precipitation, interception, infiltration) as you discuss the experiment. © 2019 Mill River Wetland Committee, Inc. • www. mrwc-fairfield. org
The Groundwater System: Underground Water Storage © 2019 Mill River Wetland Committee, Inc. • www. mrwc-fairfield. org
You learned how the Water Cycle works on the surface of the Earth… BUT…. What is going on underground? ? © 2019 Mill River Wetland Committee, Inc. • www. mrwc-fairfield. org
The Groundwater System The groundwater system is the arrangement of underground water storage areas, such as gravel layers and cracks and pores in rock. Water that falls on the land infiltrates the groundwater system as it is ABSORBED though marshes, cracks in river-and-lake beds, and soil throughout the river basin system. © 2019 Mill River Wetland Committee, Inc. • www. mrwc-fairfield. org
Layers of the Groundwater System Water infiltrates from the surface through the soil and gravel into the permeable, cracked bedrock. (It can’t get through solid bedrock. ) © 2019 Mill River Wetland Committee, Inc. • www. mrwc-fairfield. org
Groundwater helps the river basin system stay in BALANCE Benefit 1 If there is stored water in the groundwater system, it can flow back to the surface via springs: • Underground water can REPLENISH the surface bodies of water to maintain stable shoreline habitats and the organisms that live there. • Life in the basin’s surface waters can stay at optimum levels of productivity, in spite of drought or low rainfall. © 2019 Mill River Wetland Committee, Inc. • www. mrwc-fairfield. org
Groundwater helps the river basin system stay in BALANCE Benefit 2 If water can INFILTRATE the groundwater storage system, precipitation will not run over the land directly into streams and rivers; reduced runoff prevents flooding and excess erosion of productive shoreline habitats: • Lessening the rate and the amount of water that flows over land into the river reduces the power the river has to erode its bed, banks, and shoreline habitats. • Water’s-edge or shoreline habitats and their organisms are vital to the overall health of the basin and need to remain stable for optimum productivity. © 2019 Mill River Wetland Committee, Inc. • www. mrwc-fairfield. org
Experience the Concept on the Trail Use the terminology in discussions at all trail points. • Infiltration and absorption • Groundwater system • Runoff • Erosion © 2019 Mill River Wetland Committee, Inc. • www. mrwc-fairfield. org
River Basin ABSORBENCY © 2019 Mill River Wetland Committee, Inc. • www. mrwc-fairfield. org
What is Absorbency? • To Absorb is to take in or soak up. • Land in the river basin absorbs water from the surface into the groundwater system. • Absorbent surfaces hold water above ground AND allow water to slowly seep into the groundwater system. © 2019 Mill River Wetland Committee, Inc. • www. mrwc-fairfield. org
Ways Water is Absorbed Wetland soils absorb water. Plants INTERCEPT rain or snow by catching drops in their foliage. Water can then slowly soak into the soil. This absorption helps to slow floodwaters and runoff. Detritus -- natural debris, such as dead leaves and branches-- slows runoff and soaks up water. © 2019 Mill River Wetland Committee, Inc. • www. mrwc-fairfield. org
Why Absorbency is Important • Absorbent features SLOW or STOP RUNOFF and allow water to INFILTRATE the topsoil and get into the Groundwater System. • Absorbency promotes balance between the River Basin surface above ground and the Groundwater system below! © 2019 Mill River Wetland Committee, Inc. • www. mrwc-fairfield. org
Examples of Absorbent Materials • • Dead trees Rotting logs Twigs Dead leaves Fallen branches pieces of bark Dead plants Berries and seeds (acorns, etc. ) • Soft, loose soil (i. e. , marsh) © 2019 Mill River Wetland Committee, Inc. • www. mrwc-fairfield. org
Non-absorbent Surfaces No surprise: • • • Cement surfaces Paved roads Roofs Bare, compacted soil Slate Stone patios Buildings Driveways Playscapes © 2019 Mill River Wetland Committee, Inc. • www. mrwc-fairfield. org
Surprise! • Green leaves do NOT absorb water; live plants take in water at the roots. • Cultivated lawns are also NOT absorbent. They are known as “green pavement” because rainfall flattens the blades and the rainfall runs off the flattened blades quickly. © 2019 Mill River Wetland Committee, Inc. • www. mrwc-fairfield. org
Trail Point #4, Natural Debris © 2019 Mill River Wetland Committee, Inc. • www. mrwc-fairfield. org
Experience the Concept on the Trail Point #4: Natural Debris Students will observe and describe a sample of natural debris and a rotting log. You will guide a discussion of the absorbency of these materials, and how they can help create balance in the river basin system. Natural debris soaks up precipitation, slowing runoff, and helping to prevent flooding and erosion. It intercepts the water and allows it to slowly infiltrate the groundwater system. © 2019 Mill River Wetland Committee, Inc. • www. mrwc-fairfield. org
Trail Points #4 and #5: Debris Data Collection • Using a square border made of PVC pipe, students will isolate sample areas in order to count and record items of absorbent material on the ground. This activity will be done on a “natural” area of the trail and a developed area (compacted soil on a cleared path). • Students should note evidence of erosion near developed area. Guide a discussion of how absorbency helps slow runoff and erosion in the river basin. © 2019 Mill River Wetland Committee, Inc. • www. mrwc-fairfield. org
Plants and Productivity in the River Basin System © 2019 Mill River Wetland Committee, Inc. • www. mrwc-fairfield. org
The Role of Plants in a River Basin System • Forms habitats • Base of the food web • Water cycle & groundwater system © 2019 Mill River Wetland Committee, Inc. • www. mrwc-fairfield. org
Plants in the Food Web All animals are directly or indirectly dependent on plants for food energy. • Many food webs start at shoreline habitats (along water's edge), with algae and plants. • Animals move around, so these food chains expand into the water and beyond the shoreline. © 2019 Mill River Wetland Committee, Inc. • www. mrwc-fairfield. org
Plants and the Water Cycle & Groundwater System • Plants play key roles in the water cycle: Transpiration (evaporation of water though pores in leaves) and Interception. • Plants intercept rainfall and hold it until it can seep into the soil and infiltrate the groundwater storage system. • Debris from dead plants is absorbent. Absorbent plant debris helps water infiltrate to maintain the groundwater supply. © 2019 Mill River Wetland Committee, Inc. • www. mrwc-fairfield. org
Plants = Productivity • A productive river basin is able to support many diverse organisms. • Abundant, diverse plant growth is evidence that a river basin is productive. • Many plants grow at the shoreline: the area where water, soil and air meet. • Shoreline areas are one of the most productive areas of a river basin. • Plant roots hold the soil, slowing runoff and preventing erosion. This in turn allows more plants to grow! © 2019 Mill River Wetland Committee, Inc. • www. mrwc-fairfield. org
Trail Point #6 © 2019 Mill River Wetland Committee, Inc. • www. mrwc-fairfield. org
Trail Point #6: Human Impact on River Basin Productivity • Using picture cards, students enact a food web, with plants at the base. • Point out that plenty of shoreline plants are needed for these food webs to exist. • Discuss how the food web extends well beyond the shoreline, as animals roam. • Then, deconstruct and recreate the food webs as they would exist in a non-productive, eroded habitat. • Discuss how humans have resurfaced areas in the river basin and how that might impact different organisms in the food web. © 2019 Mill River Wetland Committee, Inc. • www. mrwc-fairfield. org
Human’s Impact on the River Basin System © 2019 Mill River Wetland Committee, Inc. • www. mrwc-fairfield. org
The River Basin has evolved into a selfmaintaining, living, balanced system. All living things depend on this balanced environment. However, humans are continually making changes that affect this balance. © 2019 Mill River Wetland Committee, Inc. • www. mrwc-fairfield. org
Resurfacing • When absorbent areas of a basin are covered over and replaced with non-absorbent materials, the basin loses the natural leafy growth and rotting debris which slows runoff and allows time for infiltration. • Runoff remains on the surface causing excessive erosion and flooding in the river. © 2019 Mill River Wetland Committee, Inc. • www. mrwc-fairfield. org
Ways humans have resurfaced land: Deforestation (trees and shrubs removed). Result: Lack of foliage to intercept rain, lack of spongy woodland floor that would allow infiltration into the groundwater system. Paved areas (patios, sidewalks, roads, parking lots, etc. ). These areas no longer have layers of natural debris to absorb water. Water runs off these hard surfaces very quickly, allowing no time for infiltration. Cultivated lawns also create fast runoff and discourage absorption. Water runs off blades of grass very quickly. Lawn is called "green pavement". Storm Water Management (roofs, gutters, downspouts and drainage pipes). These work by quickly collecting and sending rainwater through pipes and directly into rivers and streams, often causing flooding. © 2019 Mill River Wetland Committee, Inc. • www. mrwc-fairfield. org
Impact on the Groundwater System Water that does not infiltrate is not stored. Therefore the groundwater system has reduced capacity to replenish lakes, ponds, streams and marshes during times of low precipitation. © 2019 Mill River Wetland Committee, Inc. • www. mrwc-fairfield. org
Consequences… • Resurfacing leads to decreased absorbency in the River Basin. • Decreased absorbency means less water can infiltrate the groundwater system. • This increases run-off and erosion in rivers. • Erosion of shorelines prevent plant growth. • Decreased plant growth means decreased productivity throughout the River Basin. © 2019 Mill River Wetland Committee, Inc. • www. mrwc-fairfield. org
Im. Ba. La. Nc. E © 2019 Mill River Wetland Committee, Inc. • www. mrwc-fairfield. org
BUT… Humans need roads, buildings, and other non-absorbent surfaces. © 2019 Mill River Wetland Committee, Inc. • www. mrwc-fairfield. org
So what is a kid to do? • Teach your family about the Groundwater System and the River Basin. • Leave some areas of absorbent natural debris in their yards. • Plant a garden to replace an area of lawn. Make your piece of earth more productive! © 2019 Mill River Wetland Committee, Inc. • www. mrwc-fairfield. org
Remember… • Students of today are the decision-makers of tomorrow. • Our goal is to help students develop into educated citizens who understand the importance of protecting the River Basin System. • Because…ALL land on Earth is part of a River Basin System. Whomever defends the river defends the earth © 2019 Mill River Wetland Committee, Inc. • www. mrwc-fairfield. org
Experience the Concept on the Trail Point #6: Human Impact on River Basin Productivity At the “eroding bend” location, students will observe and discuss the ways humans have changed and developed the land. Analyze the absorbent and non-absorbent features of the area. What are the implications of resurfaced areas on the groundwater system? What are the consequences for habitats and the organisms that live there? Without sufficient absorbent features, runoff and flooding will cause erosion, and the groundwater system will not store enough water to replenish habitats. © 2019 Mill River Wetland Committee, Inc. • www. mrwc-fairfield. org
Trail Point #6 © 2019 Mill River Wetland Committee, Inc. • www. mrwc-fairfield. org
Trail Point #6: Human Impact © 2019 Mill River Wetland Committee, Inc. • www. mrwc-fairfield. org
Summary • River-Lab is part of the science curriculum for grades 3 - 5 and grade 7. • 4 th Grade focuses on the groundwater system. • Students learn through hands-on experiences using the scientific inquiry • The Groundwater System is part of the Water Cycle, helps in making productive habitats and promotes river basin balance. • Absorbent surfaces hold water to slow run-off and allow water to slowly seep into the groundwater system. • Plants support the groundwater system by intercepting rainfall. • Attend an Outdoor Training as well to help you be an effective volunteer guide. Schedule an (optional) follow-up or shadow study-trip to bring the whole study-trip to light. © 2019 Mill River Wetland Committee, Inc. • www. mrwc-fairfield. org
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