Suggested Unit Plan for Grades 11-12
Grade level: High School, Grades 11-12
Content Area: Earth Science
Title of Unit: San Gabriel River Sea Turtle Citizen Science Observation Project
Essential Questions or Driving Questions
- How do individual actions affect the Urban Ocean ecosystem?
- Why are marine animals, such as the Pacific Green Sea Turtles, found in the San Gabriel River, and what is their significance?
- How can scientists conduct and benefit from a further study of endangered species, such as the Green Sea Turtles found in the San Gabriel River?
- What does their presence tell us about our influence on the physical environment?
Standards
What learners should know and be able to do
After reviewing this website, learners should be able to communicate the importance of studying wild animals within an urban environment, and understand the challenges scientists face when conducting field observations of wild animals. Learners will also be able to describe how their actions as individuals can affect local ecosystems both directly (through involvement in programs such as the citizen science observation program) and indirectly (by managing their own pollution, litter, communicating with others, and reporting poaching events).
Content Standards
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RST.11-12.8
Evaluate the hypotheses, data, analysis, and conclusions in a science or technical text, verifying the data when possible and corroborating or challenging conclusions with other sources of information.
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RST.11-12.9
Synthesize information from a range of sources (e.g., texts, experiments, simulations) into a coherent understanding of a process, phenomenon, or concept, resolving conflicting information when possible.
ISTE*S Standards
This project will fulfill ISTE-S Standards:
- 3b) Research and information fluency – Locate, organize, analyze, evaluate, synthesize and ethically use information from a variety of sources and media
- 4c) Collect and analyze data to identify solutions and/or make informed decisions
Overview and Timeline
This is a self-guided course which allows learners to explore an overview of the known history of the San Gabriel River Sea Turtles, and the research project to date. This website introduces learners to local and national conservation efforts and government bodies, including NOAA, the Department of Fish and Wildlife, and the Los Cerritos Wetlands restoration project. A history of the river’s development and local power plants, including their use of once-through cooling provides learners with the background to understanding some of the reasons why Pacific Green Sea Turtles might survive this far North, despite the potential for local ocean temperatures to drop below hypothermic levels in the winter. Learners also have the opportunity to go through Citizen Scientist training and join the San Gabriel River Citizen Scientists in observing the sea turtles either virtually or in person. As a final exercise, learners can contribute their own video or statement about the sea turtles and the urban ocean to a collaborative message board or voice thread located on the home page.
Assessment
Learners can use the citizen scientist self-assessment exercises to help them evaluate how well they have learned about the local environment which allows Pacific Green Sea Turtles to live in the San Gabriel River. For those offering a classroom unit, it is suggested that students are also asked to contribute their learning through one or more posts to the public message board or to the VoiceThread located on the Home page.
Resources
The success of the San Gabriel River Sea Turtle Monitoring Program relies upon having an increased awareness of the challenges and dangers endangered species face in urban environments, and upon raising awareness about resources and research, such as the toll-free number to report poaching or pollution, or the citizen science effort to track the sea turtles for years to come. This website helps to provide students, teachers, and future citizen scientists to learn more about this unique habitat for the sea turtles, and to become involved in protecting them for future generations.
Educator Preparation:
Educators can provide students access to the lessons and materials within this website for self-guided learning, or educators can provide group instruction by following the suggested outline. A suggested outline for learners is available both on the Students and Citizen Scientists page, and on the Learn About... page. In addition to the overview and citizen science sea turtle observation game, there are four primary topics for learning in this website for the lesson, and each topic should take approximately one hour of classroom exploration and discussion. Citizen Scientist Educators are recommended to review the lessons and materials before providing the lesson to their classroom.
Tools and Resources Provided to Learners:
Learners have access to interactive lessons on subjects related to the sea turtle monitoring project, including:
Tutorials and Templates Provided to Learners:
- Observing Pacific Green Sea Turtles in the San Gabriel River (VoiceThread)
- Estuaries game (NOAA)
- Citizen scientist volunteer training (Prezi)
- Test your skills with a sample observation session (Video-based Assessment)
How the resources, tools, and tutorials may be used to differentiate content or process for learners:
Resources and tools will provide learners with flexible access to background topics on frequently asked questions about the citizen science project. Since the access is self-guided, learners can tailor their learning experience to their interest and skill levels.
Reason(s) for chosen technology(s):
This lesson is presented through an online website created using Weebly. Weebly offers a user-friendly accessible website hosting which allows for many different interactive learning tools to be presented in one location in order to facilitate learning about the sea turtles and the citizen science program.
Instructional Plan
Management:
Learners are able explore at their own pace or with an instructor’s guidance. A suggested outline for learners is available both on the Students and Citizen Scientists page, and on the Learn About... page. Learners can communicate and collaborate with other interested parties through the Facebook page or through a multimedia message board (such as VoiceThread)
Differentiation:
The core focus of the lesson will be on the field observation training and experience, and the threats faced by the turtles, but different website sections also address the history, biology, and ecology of the San Gabriel River Pacific Green Sea Turtles and their urban ocean environment.
Closure and Reflection
Learners are asked to reflect upon their role in their local ecosystem and reflect on their local watershed and its residents. They are also invited to join the Citizen Science program for observation of Pacific Green Sea Turtles along the San Gabriel River.
Adapted from the 2007 ISTE TEMPLATE I Lesson Plan.
Continue Exploring
The next section will allow you to explore the student and citizen scientist learning path and suggested lesson plan.