Intertidal Crabs Field Investigation
Lesson Plans
Grades6, 7, 8Biology
This resource has been reviewed by SubjectToClimate's climate scientists and verified for scientific accuracy and up-to-date information. Learn about our review process →
Provided by Gulf of Maine Research Institute
What it is
- In this 4-lesson learning module, students will participate in the Gulf of Maine Research Institute's citizen science project for intertidal crabs.
- Students will learn about the invasive species and its impact on the local habitat, practice fieldwork skills such as measuring and identifying crab genders, collect data in a local intertidal region, and input their data in the GMRI website.
- This module is designed for Maine educators who can take students to research intertidal crabs in the field.
Teaching tips
Positives
- The crab invasion video can be used as an example of the negative effects of invasive species in the United States.
- The gamified model for invasive species will keep students engaged in the lesson.
Prerequisites
- Teachers will need to prepare for fieldwork by creating an account, setting up a trip, approving the fieldwork with their administration, and possibly getting chaperones.
- It may help students to understand latitude and longitude.
Differentiation & Implementation
- Teachers may want to keep a record of the student groups, their auto-generated group names, and their passcodes in case students forget.
- Rather than leave the answer key envelope for Lesson 2 out with the station, teachers may want to hold onto it and have students show their completed station to receive the answer key.
- After studying the crabs, students can discuss the impact of climate change on invasive species.
From the scientist review
This resource engages students in fieldwork to sample invasive crab species. The first lesson provides background, including primary data from GMRI. Climate change is presented as the cause of the increase in invasive crab populations. The fieldwork is enlightening, and students share their results via the GMRI website and see results from other sites. This resource is recommended for teaching.
Ready to use it?
Hosted on teach.gmri.org
Want this to fit your class?
Add your location for local examples, questions, and action ideas.
