TOPP Predators
Coastal Habitats & Species—TOPP Predators
Summary: Students use satellite tagging data to follow the movement of marine animals over time. Examining satellite maps of sea Surface Temperature (SST) and chlorophyll-a data combined with satellite tagging data, students answer questions related to open-ocean animals, their habitats and migratory behaviors.
Concepts to teach: Technology, georeferencing, pelagic predators
Goals: Students will understand that science and technology can be used together to learn about organisms that are not easily accessible to scientists and that many factors are involved when determining the behavior of pelagic predators.
Standards:
H.2L.2; H.2E.4; H.3S.1, H.3S.3, H.3S.5, H.4D.5
Specific Objectives: Students will be able to:
- Utilize a satellite tracking data set to illustrate migratory and behavior patterns of pelagic species.
- Explain how physical or biological factors influence organism behavior.
Activity Links and Resources:
- The TOPP Predators lesson plan was developed by NANOOS (Northwest Association of Networked Ocean Observing Systems) and utilizes the NANOOS website and real time data.
Assessment:
- Have the students do a self-assessment or have them assess their classmates and how they worked in the group setting (if group-work was used).
- The reports can be graded for completeness, accuracy, and spelling and grammar.
- See the lesson plan for other guidelines on assessing the final products.
