Bering Sea | Humans
Inquiry-based science education: A snow crab outreach unit Presenter: Switgard Duesterloh , switgard.duesterloh@noaa.gov, Kodiak Ocean Science Discovery Program Erin Fedewa , erin.fedewa@noaa.gov, Alaska Fisheries Science Center, NOAA Fisheries As North Pacific marine ecosystems rapidly change, fisheries managers face increasing challenges associated with managing commercially important stocks and communicating uncertainties to stakeholders affected by management decisions. Unprecedented warming and sea ice decline in the Bering Sea demand continued support for outreach and education in fishing communities to communicate the implications of these environmental changes. We demonstrate the development and application of a week-long 7th grade science curriculum using snow crab as an indicator species and case study. Lesson plan delivery at Kodiak Middle School in the fall of 2022 included interactive discussions and hands-on snow crab dissections where students participated directly in collecting data on snow crab body condition, and developed hypotheses to explain recent snow crab population declines. We highlight techniques and materials used in the classroom to facilitate drawing broader linkages between temperature, energy transfer, and overall ecosystem structure and function in the Bering Sea. We also highlight plans to adapt lesson plans to target mixed-grade classrooms in rural schools on Kodiak Island, St. Paul Island and Nome, Alaska where community engagement will facilitate exchange of local and traditional knowledge. In addition, a collaboration with the Kodiak Island School District will facilitate the dissemination of lesson plan materials in the form of an “e-book” to extend lesson plan materials to a broader audience and make resources available to teaches and students in classrooms across Alaska.
Alaska Marine Science Symposium 2023 300
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