A Web Quest
by
Andrew S. Basler
University of Tennessee, Chattanooga
Introduction | Task | Process | Evaluation | Conclusion | Teachers | Credits
Off the coast of California, just beneath the water's surface lies a unique ecosystem: the kelp forest. Many different organisms live in this ecosystem, and compete with each other for space and resources. Each organism has unique adaptations that protect them and help ensure their survival.
You will be put into groups of five. Each group will pick one animal and research the adaptations that allow that animal to survive. You will then give a short presentation to the class on your animal and its unique characteristics.
First, you will watch the IMAX dvd "Into the Deep" which documents the life in a kelp forest.
Second, you will break up into groups of five and choose what organism you want to research. Here is a list of possible choices:
Sea Stars
Sea Otters
Lobsters
Jellyfish
Squid
Sea Urchins
You may also choose any other animal that you saw in the movie, or find in your research.
You will research both the adaptations that allow the animal to survive, and find out the animal's niche within the kelp ecosystem.
You will put together an 8 minute presentation plus 2 minutes for answering any questions.
You will make some kind of visual aid (poster, power point, pictures, etc.) to help present the adaptations and niche of the animal.
You may want to also look at the food chain of your animal - what other animals threaten it? What animals does yours threaten? How does it reproduce? What role does your animal play within a kelp forest?
Make sure that everyone in the group has a role in the presentation, and helps in the research.
Use the following links to do research, and also use the search engine link to find your own websites:
You will be evaluated based on the following rubric. Note that half of your grade is on the depth of coverage and evidence of research.
Oral Presentation Rubric
| Oral Presentation Rubric | Possible Points | Self-Assessment | Teacher Assessment |
| Provided depth in coverage of topic. Clearly covered adaptations and niche, explained organism's role in the ecosystem. Evidence of research. | 50 |
||
| Presentation was well planned and coherent. (Evidence of rehearsal) | 10 |
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| Visual Aid (helpful, neat) | 10 |
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| Thoroughly answered questions. | 10 | ||
| Stayed within the time limit. (8 minutes) | 10 | ||
| Communication Skills (eye contact, posture, clear voice, appropriate volume, transitions between speakers smooth, and all members presented) | 10 |
||
| Total Possible Points | 100 |
Animals develop unique adaptations to help them survive in a dangerous environment. The organisms of a kelp forest are no different. Each animal is also a part of the ecosystem that cannot easily be replaced.
Grade Band: 6-8 Life Science
Tennessee State Standards
Life Science
5.1) Understand how organisms are adapted for surviving in certain environments
6.5 spi 2) Identify the characteristics of a specific plant or animal that allows it to survive in an environment
8.2 tpi 2) Describe the niche and habitat of an organism within an ecosystem
Purpose: To gain an understanding of adaptations for survival. To gain an understanding of how an organism develops a niche and interacts with its environment. To promote research skills. To promote oral presentation skills. To reinforce learning through oral presentation.
Preceding Instruction: The teacher should first show the IMAX dvd Into the Deep (35 mins) available at www.amazon.com
Tennessee Department of Education. (n.d.). Curriculum frameworks. Retrieved October 7, 2003 from http://www.state.tn.us/education/ci/cistandards.htm
Warner Brothers. (1991) Into the Deep [DVD]. Toronto, Canada: Imax.
Google. (2003). Search Engine. Retrieved October 7, 2003, from http://www.google.com
Ocean Link. (2003). Echinoderm sea star questions. Retrieved October 7, 2003 from http://oceanlink.island.net/ask/echino.html
Sea Otters. (2003). Sea Otter Information. Retrieved October 7, 2003 from http://www.seaotters.org/Otters/
Cal Coast Diver. (2002). Lobsters. Retrieved October 7, 2003 from http://www.calcoastdivers.com/ecology/id/lobster.html
The Jellies Zone. (2003). Jellyfish Information. Retrieved October 7, 2003 from http://jellieszone.com/
PBS. (2002). Natures Suckers. Retrieved October 7, 2003 from http://www.pbs.org/wnet/nature/suckers/
Sea Urchins. (2003). Sea Grant Extension Program Publication Sea Urchins. Retrieved October 7, 2003 from http://seaurchin.org/Sea-Grant-Urchins.html
Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary Site Characterization. (2001). Kelp Forest and Rocky Sub tidal Habitats. Retrieved October 7, 2003 from http://bonita.mbnms.nos.noaa.gov/sitechar/kelp.html
Australian Museum Online. (2003) Marine Animals Living in Kelp Forests. Retrieved October 7, 2003 from http://www.amonline.net.au/factsheets/kelp_forests.htm
Kelp Watch. (2003). Inhabitants of Kelp Forests. Retrieved October 7, 2003 from http://www.kelpwatch.tas.gov.au/facts_i.html