Wave of Change/Imminent Destruction Gone Fishin’ TL Unit
Course, level, & size: This unit could be taught in any 100200 level course on Ecology, Oceanography, Environmental
Science, or Biology either in class or in a distance learning
environment. The activities are appropriate for any number of
students from a very small class to a very large one.
Authors: Paul Bologna, Sean Chamberlin, Jessie Kastler,
Beverly Livingston, Nadine McHenry, Kristen Rosenfeld,
Leesa Sward
Keywords: eutrophication, nutrient loading, aquatic food webs
Description:
This TL unit focuses on the relationship between nutrient levels and food web structure.
Through this a simulation activity students address preconceptions and develop and test
hypotheses. Students are assessed through a minute paper which asks them to apply what
they’ve learned to a new situation. Designed for an 80 minute class session.
Objectives:
Students will…
1. be able to explain potential relationships between nutrient levels and food web structure
2. demonstrate problem solving skills
3. develop the ability to work productively with others
4. analyze and synthesize data
5. improve ability to follow directions, instructions, and plans
Instructional Design:
1. Introduce the topic using PowerPoint (file available?)
2. Students:
 How would you describe the term nutrient? Discuss your ideas with your team.
 Describe a typical aquatic food chain. Discuss your ideas with your team.
 What are the effects of nutrients on an aquatic food chain? Generate a concept
web that identifies these effects.
 Generate hypotheses regarding the relationship between nutrient levels and
aquatic ecosystems and determine when you might catch the most fish…
 If low nutrient input, then…
 If high nutrient input, then…
3. Run simulation twice and answer questions (files available?)
4. Report out
 In small classes, each group reports on their results & revisits hypotheses
 In large classes, select groups to report on their results & entire class revisits
hypotheses
5. Instructor directs class discussion/lecture to wrap up unit (points to be emphasized – files
available?)
6. Students write a minute paper to assess objectives:
FIRST National Meeting 2005
Kellogg Biological Station
Unit Description
1

Prompt: What were our hypotheses? Did the class results support them? Use
what you’ve learned to describe what would happen to the food web structure if
there were medium level nutrient inputs.
Assessments:
1. Student write hypotheses, test them via the simulation, and report out
2. Students write a minute paper to assess knowledge objectives
References:
Gallegos L, Jerezano ME, Flores F (1994) Preconceptions and relations used by children in the
construction of food chains. Journal of Research in Science Teaching 31: 259-272
Hogan, K. (2000). Assessing students’ system reasoning in ecology. Journal of Biological
Education 35(1), 22-28
Photo Citation:
www.lumcon.edu. – accessed May 14, 2005.
FIRST National Meeting 2005
Kellogg Biological Station
Unit Description
2