A Web Quest by:
Andrew S. Basler
University of Tennessee at Chattanooga
Introduction | Task | Process | Evaluation | Conclusion | Teachers | Credits
The sea is an important part of life on earth. Because all the oceans are connected, what happens in one place can easily impact life in another place. Conservation of our oceans is important to ensure the survival of all the sea's life.
This is a group project. Your task is to explore and research both a specific problem that face our oceans (pollution, over fishing, etc), and a specific place that is threatened (Alaska, Australia, etc). After researching your problem and location, you will give a class presentation that demonstrates what your problem is, where it occurs, and how it affects both your chosen location and the rest of the world's oceans.
You will first watch the IMAX movie The Living Sea
Your teacher will break you up into groups of 3 or more
Use the following link to do your internet research:
On the home page of The Ocean Conservancy, in the top left corner, you will see two dropdown menus. One is labeled "Top Ocean Issues" and the other is labeled "Our Regional Offices"
Use the two dropdown menus to select your problem and location
Use the website to research your topic
Notice that each problem and location has a Related Links column, and use it to expand your research and answer the following questions. Be sure to explore all links to ensure the depth of your research.
Focus on how your problem affects other people and places. How are they connected?
What solutions does the Ocean Conservancy and other websites offer to solve the problem?
Do you think that there is a solution to your problem? Are there any others not mentioned?
Your presentation should be 8 minutes long, including 2 minutes for answering questions. Make sure that every member of the group has a role.
You need a visual aid to help present your project (poster, Power Point, etc)
You will be evaluated by the following rubric. Note that half of your grade depends on the depth of coverage and research of your topics.
Oral Presentation Rubric
| Oral Presentation Rubric | Possible Points | Self-Assessment | Teacher Assessment |
| Provided depth in coverage of topic. Clearly covered the problem, place, and potential of solutions. | 50 |
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| Presentation was well planned and coherent. (Evidence of rehearsal) | 10 |
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| Thoroughly answered all questions | 10 | ||
| Visual Aid (helpful, neat) | 10 |
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| 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 |
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| Total Possible Points |
100 |
Just as the oceans are all connected, people are connected to the environment. Any damage that we do does not just threaten the animals of an environment, but it affects everybody in the world. We need to practice good conservation methods to protect ourselves and our world for years to come. We are all dependent upon one another.
Grade Band: 9-12 Environmental Science
Teaching Standards
Environmental Science
5.1 Understand the causes, environmental effects, and methods for controlling pollution.
Student Performance Indicator Level 2: research the causes and potential environmental effects of specific air and water pollution problems, given access to government websites and other resources.
Preceding Instruction - before the class begins this web quest, the teacher should show the IMAX movie The Living Sea (77 minutes.) available at www.amazon.com
Purpose - to show that conservation is important for preserving the oceans, to promote internet research skills, to promote cooperation skills by working in a group, to promote oral presentation skills through the class presentation, and to reinforce learning through oral presentations.
This Web Quest can be adapted to fit a number of subjects including conservation, the ocean's geography, and human - environment interaction.
Big Picture Entertainment. (1995). The Living Sea [DVD]. Toronto, Canada: IMAX.
The Ocean Conservancy. (2003). The Ocean Conservancy Home. Retrieved October 10, 2003 from http://www.oceanconservancy.org/dynamic/home/home.htm