Fishing for answers
Grades: 9
Subjects:
How do we study migratory species? Dive into the Eastern Tropical Pacific to learn about hammerhead sharks and how we can help ensure the survival of this migratory species. This playlist is curated from Ocean School's Marine Migration module.
The secret life of sharks
Video | 6 minutes
Description: Sergio and Boris are preparing to enter the shark-filled waters of Cocos Island as Alex Hearn and Randall explain the different tagging systems and how they work. As the team goes over the final preparations before the dive, Alex demonstrates how to physically tag the sharks when close.
Activity | 20 min
Description: Students use information about the strengths, weaknesses, and costs of different tagging technologies to decide which ones they would use to study the scalloped hammerhead.
Materials:
Activity (PowerPoint)
Nautical network
Video | 6 minutes
Description: Studying a migratory species like scalloped hammerhead sharks is a challenging, long-range mission. Sergio returns from a dive with a recovered receiver. Guided by marine biologists Alex Hearn and Elpis Chavis, the team downloads and deciphers the data. Alex explains how the receivers collect data, and how scientists combine receiver data with other information to paint a more complete picture of species migratory patterns.
Activity | 20-40 min
Description: Students use Google Earth and a real-life shark tracking data set to compare the movement of 2 sharks over time.
Materials:
Activity (PowerPoint)
Current news: Trawling ban
Newsreel | 20 minutes
Description: Curated news about the shrimp trawling ban in Costa Rica. The trawling ban is meant to protect the species who frequent Costa Rican waters, but many people depend on the shrimp to make a living. Should the ban be lifted?
Activity | 60 min
Description: Using the articles, students are challenged to think from the perspective of four different stakeholders in a shrimp trawling ban. They are invited to create a comic or dramatic dialog illustrating the different perspectives.
Materials:
Activity (PowerPoint)
Dive detectives
Interactive | 30 minutes
Description: Take the plunge! Dive in the waters around Cocos Island in the rainy and dry seasons to observe the wildlife. What are they doing here? Collaborate in a virtual scavenger hunt to discover information about different species who frequent Cocos Island and why the seamount habitat matters to them.
Activity | 120 min
Description: Students use the evidence they collect in the VR experience to craft an argument about why Cocos Island needs protection. They develop a persuasive creative product to promote their vision for the future of Cocos Island.
Materials:
Activity (PDF)
Activity (PowerPoint)
Shark tagging 360
360 video | 3 minutes
Description: One of the only ways we’re able to know where sharks and other marine life go when they leave Cocos Island is by tagging them with acoustic or satellite tags. These tags allow us to track their movements and give us a more accurate picture of the pathways some of these endangered species follow. If we can figure out where these animals go in the open ocean we can extend our protection efforts beyond just Cocos Island.
Activity | 90 min
Description: Students research the pros and cons of shark tagging before embarking on a lively debate!
Materials:
Activity (PowerPoint)
Powerful observations
360 video | 2 minutes
Description: Choose your own adventure on Cocos Island. This 360 video allows you to use your powers of observation and seek out things that lead to all new environments. Will it be in the sky? Or on the land? Or even below the water. You get to explore by activating your learning skills and making powerful observations.
Activity | 60-120 min
Description: This interactive 360 experience. They visit the rainforest and the waters of Cocos island and are challenged to deeply observe and describe 2 environments. Following the 360 experience, they prepare their own field journals.
Materials:
Activity (PowerPoint)