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Why Save the Blue Crab?

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Lesson Plan Standards

1.1.1 3.5.2 3.5.3 3.6.1 6.4.4

Extension

Students will investigate the environmental benefits of the Maryland Blue crab by performing Internet research. Students will then create an informational brochure or commercial to notify the public about the ecological role of the crab, the population decline since the 1990's, reasons for that decline including Hematodinium, and management techniques to control Hematodinium and other environmental pressures.

Objectives

Students will be able to investigate the ecological role of the blue crab and synthesize the harmful effects of Hematodinium on its population in order to create in informational brochure or commercial to increase public awareness.

Lesson Materials

  1. Student handout         
  2. Computers with Internet access
  3. Word processing or publishing software (MS Word or MS Publisher)
  4. Video camera (if students choose to create a commercial)

Procedures

  1. Students will research the ecological role of the MD Blue Crab.
  2. Students will identify how humans are effecting the population of MD Blue Crabs and the outbreaks of Hematodinium (thermal pollution, etc.)
  3. Students will identify management techniques for maintaining the MD Blue Crab population.
  4. Students will create an informational brochure or commercial to increase public awareness of this problem.

References

http://www.mdsg.umd.edu/topics/blue-crabs/blue-crabs

http://www.chesapeakebay.net/issues/issue/blue_crabs#inline

Maryland State Standards

1.1.1
The student will recognize that real problems have more than one solution and decisions to accept one solution over another are made on the basis of many issues.  
3.5.2
The student will analyze the interrelationships and interdependencies among different organisms and explain how these relationships contribute to the stability of the ecosystem.
3.5.3
The student will investigate how natural and man-made changes in environmental conditions will affect individual organisms and the dynamics of populations.
3.6.1
The student will analyze the consequences and/or trade-offs between technological changes and their effect on the individual, society, and the environment. They may select topics such as bioethics, genetic engineering, endangered species, or food supply. (NTB) 
6.4.4
Apply the conclusions to develop and implement an action project. Methods of implementation may include physical action persuasion consumer action political action.

The Blue Crab: Callinectes Sapidus

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