Profile Sheet
Original Title: Science Department Installing Saltwater Aquarium at East Wood
Elementary
Primary Subject Area: Science
Outside Subject Area: Language Arts
Description of student roles and problem situation:
Students become the faculty of East Wood Elementary School as they assume the role of
developing a proposed plan for the new saltwater aquarium to be placed in the school.
The faculty teams must devise a plan that stays within the given budget, provides a
natural habitat for the marine life, and is practical for the school.
Teacher: Whitney Tindell
Grade level: 2nd Grade
Adaptations for Student from Non-Western culture:
The student will be placed in a small group with a class member they are comfortable
around. I will make an additional effort to ensure that this student understands the task at
hand and is familiar with how to research the topic.
Adaptations for ESOL Student:
For any ESOL students, they will be able to research the topic in their native language. I
could also provide translated documents of the problem and problem documents to make
it easier for the student to understand the task. The student may also present their
opinions in the one-on-one discussion with the teacher in their native language if they
feel more confident doing it that way.
Title, Learner Characteristics, and Sunshine State Standards Sample Component
And
Learning Outcomes, Student Role & Problem Situation, Meet the Problem Method
Teacher:
Title:
Primary Subject Area:
Outside Subject Area:
Class and Level
Grade Level:
Whitney Tindell
Science Department Installing Salt Water Aquarium
at East Wood Elementary
Science
Language Arts
Science
2nd Grade
Primary Sunshine State Standards:
SC.2.L.16.1: Observe and describe major stages in the life cycles of plants and animals,
including beans and butterflies.
L.O. #1: After researching salt water fish and marine life, students will accurately
explain the basic life cycle of two organisms to be placed into their aquarium in two or
more sentences.
SC.2.L.17.1: Recognize and explain that living things are found all over Earth, but each
is only able to live in habitats that meet its basic needs.
L.O. #2: Given a handout with the picture of a salt water tank, students will draw a
picture of the proposed habitat and salt water organisms to be placed into their
aquarium. Each organism will be labeled with 90% accuracy.
SC.2.L. Explain how scientists alone or in groups are always investigating new ways to
solve problems.
L.O. #3 In small groups with the teacher, students will explain how they are using
information found by marine scientists to help them construct their salt water aquarium.
Students will be graded by the teacher according to participation.
Outside Subject Area Sunshine State Standards from Language Arts:
LA.2.2.2.3: The student will distinguish between a variety of text (e.g. reference,
practical/functional).
L.O. #4 Using the computer and other sources available in the library and classroom,
students will have to identify at least four sources used in their research and explain why
they used them with 100% accuracy.
LA.2.6.2.1: The student will generate research questions by brainstorming, identify key
words, group related ideas, and select appropriate resources (e.g. atlases, nonfictional
books, dictionaries, digital references).
L.O. #5 In small group discussion, students will create a Know/Need to Know list related
to the construction of the salt water aquarium, accurately identifying five points for each
category.
Description and Student Roles:
Students will act as the faculty members of East Wood Elementary School. The school is
planning to install a salt water aquarium for the viewing pleasure of the entire student
body. The students will play the roles of faculty members as they determine what fish can
be placed in the aquarium, how to acclimate the fish to the salt water they are going to be
putting them in, the maintenance of the aquarium, and the type of habitat they will create
for the marine life (anemones, live rock, etc.). The principal will send an email to all of
the faculty members asking for groups of faculty members to propose plans for the new
salt water aquarium including a list of materials, fish, and any other supplies needed for
the project.
Meet the Problem Documents:
To: All Faculty Members of East Wood Elementary
From: Mr. Buchanan, Principle of East Wood Elementary
Dear Faculty Members,
I am pleased to announce that a generous donation of $3,000 has been given to East
Wood Elementary for the installation of a salt water aquarium. Having said that, I need
your help! I am asking that faculty members form teams and come up with a proposed
plan for the new aquarium. The plan should include the following:
 Size of the new tank
 Place to install the aquarium
 List of fish to be put into the tank
 List of plants to be put into the tank
 List of supplies needed for the tank (filters, pumps, lights, etc.)
 Sketch of the proposed set-up
We will discuss the plans for the new aquarium and vote on one of the plans at our
faculty meeting next Wednesday, February 2nd at 2:15 p.m. Please keep in mind that this
will be a special site for all of the students and staff members at the school! I have
attached an information sheet on salt water aquariums to help you get started with your
project.
Attached Document:
Salt water aquariums are a great addition to any school! In order to ensure that
your aquarium is a success and the right habitat is created for the organisms, you must
keep several things in mind. The aquarium should be put in a place where direct sunlight
will not be shining on it. The aquarium must have a filter, as well as a lighting system.
Live rock is the first thing you will want to place into the aquarium. It provides a place
for the fish to hide and it makes them feel safe. Great beginner fish to start placing into
the tank include: coral beauties, flame angelfish, blennies, butterfly fish, lionfish, and
tangs. Corals and anemones can also be added to the tank for additional color and
protection for the fish.
Problem Statement, Know/Need to Know Boards, Possible Resources
Problem Statement:
How can we, as faculty members at East Wood Elementary, figure out a way to construct
a salt water aquarium for the whole school to enjoy in such a way that
 We have a plan within 7 school days.
 We stay within the budget of $3,000.
 We ensure that the marine life will be well-suited together.
 We create a detailed list of all marine life to be placed into the aquarium.
Know/Need to Know Board
KNOW







Aquarium must be located in
a place where there is no
direct sunlight.
Aquarium must have a filter.
Aquarium must have a UV
light system.
Live rock and sand are the
first two things that must
be placed into the aquarium.
Angelfish and coral beauties
are known as “starter fish”.
They are good fish to put
into the tank first.
Each fish must be
acclimated to the salt water
before placing it into the
aquarium.
Corals and anemones should
be placed into the tank so
the fish feel protected.
NEED TO KNOW




How many starter
fish should be placed
into the aquarium?
How long should you
wait to put in the fish
after adding the live
rock, sand, and water
to the tank?
How big should the
tank be (in gallons)?
What types of fish
live well together?






What should the
concentration of the
salt be?
How long should we
expect each type of
fish to survive?
What type of food is
best for the fish?
What type of habitat
will the fish thrive in?
Where can we buy the
fish from?
Who will we get to
clean the tank and
feed the fish?
Possible Resources
Web Sites:
1. Fish Lore: Tropical Fish Information.
http://www.fishlore.com/SaltwaterAquariumSetup.htm
2. Saltwater Aquarium Guide.
http://www.saltwater-aquarium-guide.com/
3. Reef-Tanks.
http://www.reef-tanks.com/
Books:
4. The New Marine Aquarium: Step-by-Step Setup and Stocking Guide by Michael
S. Paletta.
5. Natural Reef Aquariums by John H. Tullock.
6. Marine Fishes by Scott W. Michael.
Human Resources:
7. Suncoast Aquariums and Pet Supplies employee. Store located in Panama City,
Florida.
Emerald Coast Corals employee. Store located in Panama City, Florida
Capstone Performance Description
Students will be placed in groups of 4 for the PBL lesson. Each group will work
together to create a poster, complete with pictures and captions, of the proposed solution
for the aquarium and its contents. The classroom will be set up like a faculty meeting and
the principle will be present for the student presentations. Each group must explain how
they plan to put together the aquarium. Each student within the group must speak during
the presentation. As a group, the students must present their plans for the perfect
aquarium. They must also provide two alternatives to their “ideal” plan, including
different fish, habitat, tank size, etc. Each group should provide at least 4 justifications
for choosing one plan over the other. The justifications may revolve around the life cycle
of various fish, the environment in which the fish will thrive, the lighting that provides
the ideal habitat, etc. Once each group has presented their ideas, the class will make a
chart of the best possible plan for the aquarium. The teacher will encourage students to
include ideas from various groups to make the best possible plan. Each group will have
one week of class time to prepare for their presentation and present their solution. This
will be approximately 45 minutes of class time per day. On the following Monday, the
students will present their plan in a presentation lasting less than 5 minutes per group.
After the presentation, each student will meet with the teacher and provide at least one
justification for choosing the solution they thought was the best.
Rubric for Assessing the Capstone Performance
Criteria
Presentation
Poster
Presentation of
Information
Alignment to the
Problem
Statement
Content Accuracy
Group Presentation
Superior
Adequate
20 pts.
15 pts.
The poster is neat The poster is neat.
and well put
A sketch is present
together. Student
but the solution is
effort is evident. A not clear. Pictures
complete sketch of are included on the
the proposed
poster but captions
aquarium is
are missing.
present on the
poster. Each
picture of fish,
plants, lighting, etc.
has a
corresponding
caption.
15 pts.
10 pts.
Each student in the One student in the
group speaks. It is
group does not
evident that
speak. The
students
students seem to
understand the life understand the life
cycle and needs of cycle and needs of
the marine life to
the marine life but
be placed into the
do not explain
aquarium.
where they found
Students include
their information
the resources used
to solve the
to find the
problem.
information to
solve the problem.
10 pts.
7 pts.
Each solution
The solution
presented aligns to presented does not
all of the
align to one or two
conditions in the
of the conditions in
problem
the problem
statement.
statement, but it
does align to the
remaining
conditions.
5 pts.
3 pts.
Poor
10 pts.
The poster is
sloppy and lacks
visual appeal.
There is not sketch
of the proposed
aquarium.
5 pts.
Only one student
speaks during the
group
presentation. It is
not evident that
students
understand the life
cycle and needs of
the marine life.
Students do not
state where they
found their
information to
solve the problem.
3 pts.
The solution does
not align to the
conditions of the
problem
statement.
1 pt.
All scientific
information
discussed for the
proposed solution
is 100% accurate.
All scientific
information
discussed for the
proposed solution
is accurate 80% of
the time.
Score Conversion Chart
Point Range
Grade
41-50
A
31-40
B
21-30
C
11-20
D
0-10
F
All scientific
information
discussed for the
proposed solution
is less than 80%
accurate.
Two Alternative Solutions and “Best” Solution Analysis
Solution One: The faculty team will buy a glass aquarium that is 50 gallons in size. The
aquarium will be placed in the cafeteria since it is a high traffic area for students and
faculty. The team members have proposed a salt-water tank with the concentration of the
salt being close to the concentration of salt in the ocean. Florescent lighting will be
placed in the aquarium along with a filter. Each fish placed into the tank must first be
acclimated before releasing it into the aquarium. Sand and live rock will be added as the
foundation of the marine life. After one week, hardy starter fish will be placed into the
aquarium. A coral beauty, a scooter blenny, a raccoon butterfly fish, and a flame
angelfish will be the first four fish to be placed into the aquarium. Within the following
week, a bottom feeder such as the goby will be added to the tank. The goby acts as a
natural filter and cleans the sand. Two weeks later, a rose bulb anemone and a fluorescent
green bulb anemone will be placed on the live rock. The anemones provide a place for
the fish to hide and feel safe. Dried and fresh algae will be fed to the fish on a regular
basis. The fish will also be able to get nutrients from the natural algae growth that will
take place on the live rock.
Pro
The glass aquarium will not scratch as
easily as the alternative.
With the placement of the aquarium, many
students will be able to enjoy the marine
life.
The coral beauty, scooter blenny, raccoon
butterfly fish, and flame angelfish are all
very hardy fish that are easy to maintain
when starting a saltwater aquarium.
The goby will provide a great natural filter
for the tank as it sifts the sand.
Con
Glass is heavier and is easier to crack than
an acrylic tank.
The cafeteria receives an abundance of
natural sunlight which could potentially
have a negative impact of the aquarium.
The flame angelfish can be quite territorial
and the scooter blenny can sometimes be
aggressive. The team will have to ensure
plenty of areas for the fish to hide and feel
safe.
Snails and other filter feeders should be a
part of the proposed plan. The goby cannot
solely filter the tank enough.
Possible Consequences: With the implementation of this solution, the territorial fish
could possibly harm one another. Another possible consequence could be that the glass
could possibly crack and cause a leak in the tank.
Solution Two: The faculty team members propose a 70 gallon acrylic tank. The aquarium
will be placed in the front office, away from natural sunlight. The salt water
concentration will be similar to that of the ocean’s salt water concentration. A filter
system and florescent lighting will also be added. This team proposes a special type of
lighting system that is placed on a timer. The timer will artificially simulate the normal
lighting in which the salt water fish would have in their natural habitat. Sand will be
placed in the aquarium as the base layer. This aquarium will not have live rock. It will
consist of sand, marine plants, and fish only. A yellow tang, a volitan lionfish, and
eightline wrasse, and a yellowtail damsel fish will be the first four fish to be added to the
tank. Anemones will also be added at the same time to allow the fish to have a place to
hide. Within a week, a goby and several snails will be added to the tank to assist with the
filtration. The fish will be fed dried algae and will be put on a strict feeding schedule to
ensure consistency.
Pro
The aquarium will be acrylic. It will be
much lighter and much more difficult to
crack.
Live rock is difficult to maintain. With the
absence of live rock, the aquarium will be
easier to take care of.
The 70 gallon tank will provide a lot more
room for the fish and will decrease
problems with territorial fish.
Having snails and gobies in the aquarium
will provide a great natural filter system.
Con
Acrylic scratches very easily. With the
aquarium being in an elementary school,
many students will probably touch the tank
and it could become scratched within a
short period of time.
The fish like the extra protection that live
rock provides and it makes the tank much
more like their natural habitat.
A tank of this size will take up a large
portion of the budget for the aquarium.
The snails will have to be monitored often
because of their reproduction abilities.
They can reproduce at rapid rates and the
aquarium can become overpopulated with
snails.
Possible Consequences: With the implementation of this plan, a possible consequence
could be that the fish do not have enough natural food to eat. Since there will be no live
rock in the tank, they will be completely dependent on the dried algae food. Another
possible consequence from this plan could be that the tank will be ruined quickly from
scratches.
Justification for Choosing Solution One: Solution one is the best possible choice
between the two proposed solutions for the aquarium. The glass aquarium is proven to be
the material of choice for saltwater aquariums. Although it is heavy and could possibly
crack from impact, it is practically scratch resistant and lasts much longer than the acrylic
tank. This solution is also better than solution two because it includes live rock in the
proposed plan. Although some might argue that live rock is difficult to maintain,
aquarium experts say that live rock is imperative to the saltwater tank. It provides the
necessary protection for the fish and simulates the natural habitat that saltwater fish thrive
in. The live rock will also provide additional food for the fish. Finally, solution one is the
best because it includes that hardiest starter fish available. Even though several of these
fish are slightly territorial, the live rock will prevent them from harming each other. They
will have the ability to seek shelter and protect themselves in the nooks and crevices’ of
the live rock structures. Solution two had great ideas, but overall solution one is the best
for the aquarium at East Wood Elementary School.
Debriefing Plan and Coaching Questions
Debriefing Plan: All teams composed of “faculty members” will make their
presentations to the class. Each group will have an allotted amount of time to share their
possible solutions for the problem. The teacher will act as the secretary for the school
meeting and record the details of each proposed plan. The characteristics and details for
each solution to the problem will be typed out by the teacher and given to every class
member on the day following the presentations. The students will be given time to go
over each solution. In their teams, they will rate each “best solution” in priority order. A
one will be given to the team who has the best possible solution for the problem. A two
for the team they think was the next best, and so on. After the two teams receiving the
highest points are examined by the entire class as a whole, the students will conduct a
discussion to determine if they can come up with one “best solution”. The teacher will
encourage students to use ideas from both of the two best solutions to come up with the
very best possible solution to the problem. From the student discussion, the teacher will
provide a list of the characteristics for the best possible solution on the board for the
whole class to see.
Points on the Ordered List:
1st Place:
12 pts.
2nd Place:
10 pts.
rd
3 Place:
8 pts.
4th Place:
6 pts.
th
5 Place:
4 pts.
Five Essential Concepts: The “best” solution must demonstrate an understanding of the
following concepts:
 Ability to observe and describe the basic life cycle of the fish and marine life to
be placed into the aquarium.
 Ability to demonstrate an understanding that each living organism has special
needs and a specific type of habitat that best suits those needs.
 Recognize that scientists continually come up with evolving ways to solve
problems and that they use scientific research to do so.
 Ability to generate questions and concerns regarding the research of other groups.
 Ability to understand various types of text (e.g. websites, books, articles,
encyclopedias, etc.)
Coaching Questions:
C = Cognitive
M = Meta-cognitive
E = Epistemic
Type of
Question
C
M
E
C
M
E
C
M
E
C
M
E
C
M
E
Question
Meet the Problem
What is the role of each team member in this problem?
What information do you already know about saltwater aquariums and
marine life?
Do you think this problem is a realistic problem? Could someone really be
asked to do such a task in real life?
Know/Need to Know
How do you know that the coral beauty fish is hardy?
How can you create a list of “need to know” questions?
What obstacles do you see as you look at the problem?
Problem Statement
How long do you have to work on this problem?
Would you change anything in the problem statement, or do you think it’s
best as is?
What factors do you need to consider in order to reach a “good” solution for
the new saltwater aquarium?
Information Gathering and Sharing
What does that mean?
In your opinion, what was the best resource you found while researching the
problem and possible solutions for the habitat to create in the tank?
How can you verify that information you found about the yellow tang?
Generating Solutions
Will this solution resolve all of the issues surrounding the aquarium
construction?
How sure are you that this is the absolute best solution possible?
What is the next step?