Trace the Toxin: A Harmful Algal Bloom Food Web Game
Trace the Toxin is a hands-on educational game that introduces students to freshwater food webs, harmful algal blooms, and the movement of algal toxins through aquatic ecosystems. Students take on the roles of zooplankton, fish, and people as they follow energy (and potentially harmful toxins) from phytoplankton through multiple trophic levels.
Designed for upper elementary and middle school students (grades 4-6), the activity takes approximately 30-45 minutes and combines movement-based gameplay with discussion of food webs, energy flow, aquatic ecosystems, harmful algal blooms, and water quality. The lesson also connects these concepts to careers in aquatic science and drinking-water management. The accompanying lesson materials include instructions, background information, vocabulary, printable life cards, and supporting images.
Free educator resources:
Activity Guide – Complete instructions, background information, materials list, life cards, and printable resources
Presentation – Slides for introducing the activity and guiding students through the lesson
Resources also available for free through Teachers Pay Teachers (https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/store/baylor-broader-impacts)