Overview
Key Considerations
Lessons
Learning Outcomes
Project Goals:
- Students are connected to and develop understanding of the natural spaces around them
- Students engage in authentic scientific inquiry
- Students understand threats posed by invasive crabs and have the skills and resources needed to address these threats
- Scientists from Manomet and the New England Aquarium receive important data on the distribution and abundance of highly invasive crab species
Time Estimate
11 to 15 class periods
Audience
5-8
Learning Space
Classroom ·
Outdoor
Standards Alignment
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Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS): CCC 4
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Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS): CCC 7
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Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS): SEP 3
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Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS): SEP 2
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Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS): SEP 1
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Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS): MS-LS2-4
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Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS): MS-LS2-2
This guide is intended to provide a suggested learning experience that wraps around contribution to a citizen science project and engages students in the full scientific inquiry process. Modify, cut, or add to this learning experience to meet your and your students needs. However, protocols must be followed for data contribution. Review the detailed protocols and required equipment on the Project Intertidal Crabs webpage. Reach out to GMRI staff so we can help you secure materials you might be missing or help you identify local partners who may have the necessary equipment.
Date, Time, Place, & Tides:
The protocol requires a field site in a rocky intertidal zone. Crab habitats include primarily moveable rock and seaweed, though salt marsh also makes for an interesting field site. Sandy beach and ledge are not good places to sample. Data also must be collected in the timeframe of an hour before or an hour after low tide. Once you have a rocky intertidal field site selected look at a tide chart. Plan the timing of your unit so that you will be able to collect data in the required timeframe.
Additional Curriculum Resources: This resource is designed to support students' ecosystem understandings. For more in-depth curriculum that is focused on developing students' data literacy, see the Intertidal Crabs Data Investigation. If you have students looking for an independent project, see the Intertidal Crabs Independent Study.
Lesson 1: Your Research Question
Estimated time: one to two class periods (45 to 60 minutes)
In this brief introduction, students explore the project page, setting a purpose for their work, and defining the investigation questions:
- How do the abundances of invasive and native crabs compare up and down the coast of the Gulf of Maine?
- Is the proportion of native crabs versus invasive crabs changing over time and in response to warming temperatures?
- Where will green, Asian shore, and native crabs be most abundant in the future?
Teacher Guide | Student Pages | Class Slides | Project Intertidal Crabs page
Lesson 2: Intertidal ecosystems
Estimated time: one class period (45 minutes)
Students read about different species in an intertidal ecosystem. They arrange species cards to identify relationships between species and use the cards to identify potential impacts of invasive crabs.
Teacher Guide | Student Pages | Class Slides | Species cards
Lesson 3: Intertidal competition
Estimated time: one to two class periods (60 minutes)
In this active game, students learn about how invasive crabs compete with other intertidal species for resources in an intertidal ecosystem.
Lesson 4: The citizen science protocol
Estimated time: two class periods (60 to 75 minutes)
Students learn about what they will do to collect data and create identification guides to help with identifying crabs and measuring them out in the field.
Teacher Guide | Student Pages | Protocol and Identification Resources
Lesson 5: Practice for fieldwork
Estimated time: two class periods (60 to 75 minutes)
Students practice their identification skills at interactive stations. If time permits, they can reinforce their identification and knowledge of the protocol with the online quiz game, Kahoot! and by going over the protocol in fieldwork teams.
Teacher Guide | Student Pages | Class Slides | Fieldwork Skills Stations | Kahoot!
Lesson 6: Collect data
Estimated time: one class period (45 to 60 minutes plus travel time)
Students collect data on intertidal crabs at their field site.
Teacher Guide | Student Pages | Class Slides | Protocol and Identification Resources
Lesson 7: Contribute data
Estimated time: one class period (45 minutes)
Students submit the data to the Ecosystem Investigation Network.
Teacher Guide | Student Pages | Class Slides | Submit Data | How to Set Up a Trip | How to Access Student Passphrases
Lesson 8: Synthesize findings
Estimated time: one to two class periods (45 to 90 minutes)
Students use what they learned from the investigation to make predictions about the future of intertidal ecosystems in their area.
Teacher Guide| Student Pages | Class Slides | Summative assessment rubric