Stay in Your Zone!
An Inquiry Activity for Between the Tides
Introduction
Because of the large differences in physical properties within the intertidal zone,
distinct zones of different organisms form. Within each zone the physical properties
rapidly and significantly change with the tides, and the organisms that live there are
specially adapted to deal with the changes.
Task
Your task is to research the physical properties and zonation of the intertidal zone.
Once you have completed your research you will create a poster outlining the
different zones and the physical properties of each. You will present your poster
once you have finished it.
Process
Use your resources to answer the following questions.
1. What are the physical properties of the intertidal zone that makes it an extreme
environment for the animals that inhabit it?
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2. Which types of coasts have the most distinct zones within the intertidal and
why?
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3. How does the physical environment in a tide pool change between the tides?
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Poster and Presentation
Once you have completed your research, create a poster outlining the zonation in the
intertidal zone. Focus on the physical properties of each zone and include examples
of organisms that can live there. Once you have completed your poster, prepare a
5-10 minute presentation on the intertidal zone.
Resources
Many online resources can be used to assist your research. These include websites,
journal articles, and scientific news and magazines.
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Evaluation
Read the following rubric to see how you will be scored on the Inquiry Activity.
Criteria
Points
0
Task
Process
Poster and
Presentation
5
10
The tasks Some effort
were not
was made to
completed. complete the
tasks, but
the major
ideas are
missing.
The
The process
process
was begun
was not
but not all
followed.
questions
were
answered.
The tasks
were
completed
but some
information
was omitted
or incorrect.
The process
was followed
but some
answers were
incorrect.
There was
no
attempt to
create a
poster or
presentation.
There was
good
material and
ideas in the
poster and
presentation.
There was
minimal
effort
making the
poster and
presentation.
15
The tasks
were
completed
with great
attention to
detail.
The project
showed
thorough
research
and a deep
understand
-ing of the
topic.
The poster
and
presentation
were
excellent,
and showed
knowledge
of the topic.
Total Score
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