Great White Dive Adventure: US Year 10-12
Advanced shark biology and marine research scenarios for high school students.
- Describe at least 4 research methods used to study great white sharks
- Evaluate the advantages and limitations of each method
- Analyse real tagging and tracking data from Fins Attached
- Design a research methodology for a specific research question
Duration: 3–4 lessons (50 min each)
Engagement Strategy: Virtual tagging quest on the research vessel, methodology comparison workshop, data analysis
- Access to Salty Sharks Great White Dive Adventure virtual world
- Research methodology cards (satellite tags, photo-ID, eDNA, acoustic tags)
- Sample tracking data from Fins Attached
- Research design template
- Ethics in animal research guidelines
Driving Question
How do scientists study one of the ocean’s most elusive apex predators, and what can their data tell us?
Project
Students design a research study proposal for investigating a specific aspect of great white shark behaviour or ecology.
Curriculum Standard
AP Biology: Scientific inquiry and experimental design; NGSS HS-LS4-5: Evidence for natural selection; Research methodology.
Teacher's Role
- 1 Introduce research methods through the virtual tagging experience
- 2 Provide methodology comparison framework
- 3 Guide research proposal development
- 4 Facilitate peer review of study designs
Student's Role
- 1 Complete the virtual shark tagging quest
- 2 Compare research methods and evaluate each
- 3 Develop a specific research question
- 4 Write a complete research proposal including methods, ethics, and analysis plan
Evaluate understanding of research methodology and experimental design.
- 1 Clear, testable research question
- 2 Appropriate methodology chosen with justified reasoning
- 3 Detailed experimental/observational design
- 4 Ethical considerations addressed
- 5 Data analysis plan is feasible and appropriate
- 6 Peer review feedback incorporated in final version
Contact a real marine researcher and interview them about their methodology, then share the interview with the class.
- Describe at least 4 research methods used to study great white sharks
- Evaluate the advantages and limitations of each method
- Analyse real tagging and tracking data from Fins Attached
- Design a research methodology for a specific research question
Duration: 3–4 lessons (50 min each)
Engagement Strategy: Virtual tagging quest on the research vessel, methodology comparison workshop, data analysis
- Access to Salty Sharks Great White Dive Adventure virtual world
- Research methodology cards (satellite tags, photo-ID, eDNA, acoustic tags)
- Sample tracking data from Fins Attached
- Research design template
- Ethics in animal research guidelines
Driving Question
How do scientists study one of the ocean’s most elusive apex predators, and what can their data tell us?
Project
Students design a research study proposal for investigating a specific aspect of great white shark behaviour or ecology.
Curriculum Standard
AP Biology: Scientific inquiry and experimental design; NGSS HS-LS4-5: Evidence for natural selection; Research methodology.
Teacher's Role
- 1 Introduce research methods through the virtual tagging experience
- 2 Provide methodology comparison framework
- 3 Guide research proposal development
- 4 Facilitate peer review of study designs
Student's Role
- 1 Complete the virtual shark tagging quest
- 2 Compare research methods and evaluate each
- 3 Develop a specific research question
- 4 Write a complete research proposal including methods, ethics, and analysis plan
Evaluate understanding of research methodology and experimental design.
- 1 Clear, testable research question
- 2 Appropriate methodology chosen with justified reasoning
- 3 Detailed experimental/observational design
- 4 Ethical considerations addressed
- 5 Data analysis plan is feasible and appropriate
- 6 Peer review feedback incorporated in final version
Contact a real marine researcher and interview them about their methodology, then share the interview with the class.