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Bringing Shark Research on Cape Cod into Your Classroom

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Presenters

Dr. Camrin Braun, Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution (WHOI)

Megan Winton, Atlantic White Shark Conservancy (AWSC)

Education Presenters

Grace Simpkins, WHOI Sea Grant (WHOI SG) education specialist

Marianne Walsh, Atlantic White Shark Conservancy education director

Date:  February 15, 2023

Lesson Plans and Classroom Activities:

  • Shark Story Hour: This AWSC list of shark picture books comes with additional activities, videos, or coloring pages to supplement the story and make a longer lesson
  • AWSC Virtual Shark Lessons:
    • What is a shark introductory lesson
    • Shark anatomy lesson
    • Shark true or false challenge
    • Movie sharks vs. real sharks
    • All about fossils
    • Shark tagging
    • How sharks move
    • Does a shark sink?
    • How to track sharks
    • All about ocean currents
    • Deep water sharks
    • Conservation vocabulary
  • AWSC Exploring Careers in Shark Conservation: Check out videos that explore various careers
  • AWSC Finvestigations: Watch YouTube video related to sharks and answer accompanying journal questions
  • Understanding the Rewilding of Cape Cod: A Curriculum Unit for Middle School Learners**afternoon workshop sessions**:
    • Unit 1: How did we get here? - This unit has students gathering historical information, building a timeline, and exploring various groups that have been affected by changes in wildlife.
    • Unit 2: The science around us - Students learn about some of the current research in the area, and explore how scientists develop technology to answer their questions.
  • Whale Sharks- Tracking an elusive animal: NOAA researchers compiled sighting and tracking information over 16 seasons and then created figures to illustrate patterns in the data. Study each of the images and then answer the discussion questions.
  • Sharks- Taking a bite out of the myth: Explore trends in shark populations using shark landing data from the National Marine Fisheries Service. Recognize the low risk of shark attacks compared to other hazards, discuss impacts of fishing on sharks, evaluate population numbers, and look at data trends.

 

Background and Resources:

 

WHOI Oceanus Articles

 

Deeper Exploration:  Papers in Scientific Journals:

 

Workshop Agenda

Wednesday, February 15, 2023

8:45 – 9:15 -- Check-in at WHOI Redfield Auditorium.  Breakfast: pastries, coffee, juice, tea, water

9:15 – 9:30 --Introduction to WHOI Sea Grant and WHOI

9:30 – 10:30 -- Atlantic White Shark Science and Research, Dr. Camrin Braun, WHOI

10:30 – 10:45 -- Break

10:45 – 11:45 -- Atlantic White Shark Science and Research, Megan Winton, Atlantic White Shark Conservancy

11:45 – 1:00 -- LUNCH (provided).  Chat with speakers, discuss classroom integration, and explore WHOI Discovery Center

1:00 – 1:15 -- Split into 2 groups and proceed to afternoon sessions

1:15 – 2:15 -- Group 1 - Building Underwater Equipment, Grace Simpkins, WHOI SG; Group 2 - Rewilding Cape Cod, Marianne Long, AWSC

2:15 – 3:15 -- Groups swap locations and activities

3:30 - 4:00 -- Hand out PDPs and wrap up