Turtle Beach: US Year 10-12
Advanced sea turtle conservation scenarios for high school students.
- Analyse trophic interactions in coastal marine ecosystems
- Evaluate the concept of ecosystem services in relation to sea turtle habitats
- Interpret population dynamics data using mathematical models
- Assess the impact of anthropogenic disturbances on ecosystem stability
Duration: 3–4 lessons (50 min each)
Engagement Strategy: Data-driven investigation, virtual world ecosystem observation, scientific paper analysis
- Access to Salty Sharks Turtle Beach virtual world
- Peer-reviewed research articles on coastal ecosystems
- Population dynamics spreadsheets
- Graphing software or calculators
- Ecosystem services valuation data
Driving Question
What is the economic and ecological value of a healthy sea turtle population to coastal communities?
Project
Students produce a scientific report quantifying ecosystem services provided by sea turtles to a specific coastal region.
Curriculum Standard
AP Environmental Science: Ecosystem Services and Biodiversity; NGSS HS-LS2-6: Evaluate claims about ecosystem complexity.
Teacher's Role
- 1 Provide access to scientific literature and data sets
- 2 Guide students through ecosystem services valuation methods
- 3 Facilitate peer review of scientific reports
- 4 Connect concepts to current environmental policy
Student's Role
- 1 Conduct a literature review on sea turtle ecosystem roles
- 2 Analyse population and economic data
- 3 Calculate ecosystem service valuations
- 4 Write and peer-review a scientific report
Assess ability to conduct and communicate scientific analysis of ecosystem interactions.
- 1 Comprehensive literature review with proper citations
- 2 Accurate data analysis with appropriate statistical methods
- 3 Logical conclusions supported by evidence
- 4 Professional scientific writing format
- 5 Critical evaluation of limitations and uncertainties
Present findings to a local environmental group or create a policy brief for local government.
- Analyse trophic interactions in coastal marine ecosystems
- Evaluate the concept of ecosystem services in relation to sea turtle habitats
- Interpret population dynamics data using mathematical models
- Assess the impact of anthropogenic disturbances on ecosystem stability
Duration: 3–4 lessons (50 min each)
Engagement Strategy: Data-driven investigation, virtual world ecosystem observation, scientific paper analysis
- Access to Salty Sharks Turtle Beach virtual world
- Peer-reviewed research articles on coastal ecosystems
- Population dynamics spreadsheets
- Graphing software or calculators
- Ecosystem services valuation data
Driving Question
What is the economic and ecological value of a healthy sea turtle population to coastal communities?
Project
Students produce a scientific report quantifying ecosystem services provided by sea turtles to a specific coastal region.
Curriculum Standard
AP Environmental Science: Ecosystem Services and Biodiversity; NGSS HS-LS2-6: Evaluate claims about ecosystem complexity.
Teacher's Role
- 1 Provide access to scientific literature and data sets
- 2 Guide students through ecosystem services valuation methods
- 3 Facilitate peer review of scientific reports
- 4 Connect concepts to current environmental policy
Student's Role
- 1 Conduct a literature review on sea turtle ecosystem roles
- 2 Analyse population and economic data
- 3 Calculate ecosystem service valuations
- 4 Write and peer-review a scientific report
Assess ability to conduct and communicate scientific analysis of ecosystem interactions.
- 1 Comprehensive literature review with proper citations
- 2 Accurate data analysis with appropriate statistical methods
- 3 Logical conclusions supported by evidence
- 4 Professional scientific writing format
- 5 Critical evaluation of limitations and uncertainties
Present findings to a local environmental group or create a policy brief for local government.