All You Can Eat Algae!
Background:
You might not realize it but you love seaweed. In fact, your life would not be the same without
seaweeds and other alga. Many of the products we use each day come from a marine plant-like critters in the
Pacific Ocean. In total, the three algae phyla: Chlorophyta, Rhodophyta and Phaeophyta, generate 8 million tons
of useful substances that are put into our foods, commercial and household products. It’s an industry that
earns upwards of 6 BILLION dollars annually and isn’t showing any signs of slowing down.
Procedure:
For this assignment you should use the links below to research the importance of algae in human
products. Gather information about any food product containing algae. Follow the prompt outlined below to
make a small poster with information about your product. Then, bring to class your food (enough to feed at
least10 people) and your poster to show the class. Your food does not have to be entirely made of algae. You
may chose to make something that has an algal extract included on some part or it.
Poster Requirements:
1. Must include your food label(s) that contain algae or algal extracts (or written ingredients).
2. Classification must be clear on the top of your poster (Kingdom and Phylum)
3. Algae information must be TYPED in this order
a. Your food
b. Algae it contains (if extract please include algae as well…ex: Agar comes from red algae)
c. Common use for the algae (or extract) as it relates to your food.
d. Region of world this algae is harvested from (requires separate research possibly)
e. Method of harvesting this type of algae
4. Your 8 ½ x 11 inch poster should be neat and in color.
5. Include images of your algae on the poster (at least 2) or draw a good picture.
Resources:
Review the following pages first to gather background information. Then use search engines to narrow
down the food you would like to bring in.
1. http://encarta.msn.com/encyclopedia_761573848_3/algae.html
2. http://www.marcoeagle.com/news/2007/Aug/23/algae_found_more_just_seaweed/
3. http://www.nutraingredients.com/Research/Algae-the-healthy-ingredient
All You Can Eat Algae! - Rubric
Name: ____________________________
LEVELS
Your Self
Grade
Peer Grade
1
Period: ________
Peer Grade
2
Peer Grade
3
Has a poster (1) and food labels with
info (1) or written in
Has Classifications on top of poster (2)
at least 2 levels
Algal Information:
Your food (1), Algae it contains (1)
Common use (1), Region harvested (1),
and Method of harvest (1)
Neatness (2) and Color (2)
Images (at least 2) (2)
TOTAL /15
OVERALL SCORE (average):
Self Grade
/ 15
SVOBODA:
/15
Svoboda’s
Score