1. Topic-
|
| Algae Producing Toxins in the Ocean |
| |
|
2. Content-
|
| An increased amount of iron in the Pacific Ocean is producing toxic
algal blooms that are killing food supply and affecting Marine life.
Storms blowing over boats, leaving iron in the ocean as well as nutrient
pollution, such as sewage, are just two large contributing factors
to the production of the toxin called domoic acid. The existence of
this has large effects on our ecosystem and, therefore, solutions
must be made to solve stop the toxic algal blooms from forming. |
| |
|
3. Goals: Aims/Outcomes-
|
1. Know what is causing toxic algal blooms.
2. Understand how toxic algal blooms are affecting the ecosystem.
3. Come up with a solution for the problem and a plan to implement
this solution. |
| |
|
|
4. Objectives-
|
1. Students will be attentive during lecture, learning what toxic
algal blooms are and what is causing them.
2. Students will participate in an open discussion about how the toxic
algal blooms are affecting the ecosystem, sharing their own ideas
as well as learning what is really happening to the ecosystem because
of these blooms. Students will then observe a toxic algal bloom under
the microscope so that they can see what it is.
3. In groups, students will come up with a solution to the problem
and present it to the class. |
| |
|
5. Materials and Aids-
|
| Microsoft PowerPoint will be used during lecture. Students will
use microscopes to examine toxic algal blooms and later will use computers,
provided in lab, to do research a solution. |
| |
|
6. Procedures/Methods-
|
|
A. Introduction-
1. Domoic acid is a toxic produced by algal blooms in the Pacific
Ocean. Contributing factors to the production of these toxic blooms
are the iron that humans use in the ocean as well as nutrient pollution,
such as sewage.
2. This is effecting our ecosystem because fish and other sea animals
are consuming the toxin and are dying out. This is harmful to fisheries
because they have less fish to sell as well as could harm humans if
the human consumes a fish that has been exposed to domoic acid.
3. Sea lions have been shown to develop epilepsy if they are exposed
to the toxin while still in the womb. Many eventually die from this.
If sea lions are developing epilepsy from exposure, what do you think
it would do to humans? |
| |
|
|
Development-
1. Students observe images on the powerpoint
2. Class discussion on how domoic acid is harmfully effecting the
ecosystem. |
| |
|
|
Practice-
1. Observe a toxic algal bloom under a microscope.
2. Fill out a worksheet on what the student sees. |
| |
|
|
Accommodations (Differentiated Instruction)-
1. Students discuss solutions to the toxic algal blooms.
2. Students work in groups to research and develop a plan on how to
implement solutions.
3. Group presents what they found to the class. |
| |
|
|
Checking for understanding-
| After all groups present, have students write a one page summary
of what they learned about domoic acid and give at least two solutions,
proposed by the class, as to how to stop the production or consumption
of toxic algal blooms. |
| |
|
|
Closure-
| If we recognize problems that our ecosystem is currently faced with,
we can find a way to at least lessen the problem. We must all work
together, as members of a community, to save our ecosystem. |
| |
|
7. Evaluation-
|
1. Look over the one page reflections the students wrote at the
end of class and provide feedback to the students.
2. If it seems that there is one concept students are not completely
grasping, review it the next day at the beginning of class. |
| |
|