Teacher Resources - Honors Classes


The following links can be used to deliver the PLANS program to the honors classes. (Please check back for updates)

The PLANS program is divided into three sections. The Preparation, Action and Reflection Phase. Please visit the following links for each phase of the program. PLANS staff will be in contact to schedule your participation in the program.


Preparation
Phase		 Action
Phase		 Reflection
Phase




Preparation Phase

During this phase PLANS staff from Morgan State University and The Society for Ocean Sciences will visit the classrooms to introduce the program to your students and prepare them for their participation in the Action Phase.

Student Library Resources:
Introduction to the Chesapeake Bay & the Patuxent River Estuary Introduction to the Plankton in the Chesapeake Bay Understanding Nutrient Limitation


Before we visit your classroom.

Before the PLANS staff visit your classroom and the program begins we have some paperwork and preparation to do!


Pre Program Survey

Please ask your students to follow the link below to take the pre-program survey. They can take this survey in class or at home. 

Preparation Teacher Guide

This document will give you the background required to prepare your students for the PLANS program. 


Lecture on Plankton and Nutrients in the Bay

Please deliver this lecture to your students before the PLANS staff visit the classroom for the first time. This PowerPoint is full of great information and you are free to edit it as you see fit.

During our visit to your classroom:

During the preparation phase we will be looking at live Plankton samples to spark the interest of your students. 

Observing a Plankton Sample

Please print this document for each student to complete while observing the plankton sample

Plankton Manual - Chesapeake Bay

Here you will find a manual to help you identify the different types of plankton found in the Bay.


Overview of PLANS

PLANS staff will deliver this PowerPoint to your students on the first visit to their classroom.


The Importance of Filter Feeders in the Bay

This PowerPoint presentation is available to show your students to prepare them for the field trip to ERC and the experiments in the lab. Please feel free to edit as you see fit. We recommend you show this presentation to your students before their visit to ERC.

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Action Phase

During this phase, your students will join PLANS staff at the Estuarine Research Center (ERC) on the Patuxent River to participate in a research cruise and carry out some experiments in the lab.
  

The Oyster Filter Feeding Experiment - Teacher Guide

Please download this teacher guide to the oyster feeding experiment the students will be carrying out while at ERC.

Student Guide: Oyster Filter Feeding Experiment

Please provide copies of the experimental procedure to your students.


Student Worksheet: Oyster Filter Feeding Experiment

Students will be given copies of this worksheet which includes a data sheet to collect their data and an example of how to make calculations based on the clearing rate of the oysters used in the experiment.

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Reflection Phase

During this phase, students will carry out a nutrient limitation bioassy using water collected from the Action Phase field trip.

Constructing a Light Box

Use these instructions to put your students to work and build their lightbox which they will use throughout the experiment.

Nutrient Limitation Bioassay- Teacher Guide

Please review this teacher guide to familiarize yourself with experimental design and the bioassay procedure.

Operating the AquaFluor Fluorometer

Use these instructions to guide you in using the hand held fluorometer.

Student Nutrient Limitation Bioassay Procedure

Please print this procedure for your students to set up their bioassay

Class Data Sheet

Use this data sheet to collect class data

Interpreting Bioassay Data - Teacher Guide

This teacher guide will aid you in your understanding of the complexities related to nutrient limitation.

Interpreting the Data - PowerPoint

This PowerPoint should be given to your students to help them understand how to interpret their results from the bioassy.

Interpreting the Data - Student Guide

Please print this guide for your students to help them understand their data.

Preparing for the Summit - Poster Guidelines

Use these guidelines to help your students prepare their findings to submit something for the summit.

Post Program Survey

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Additional Teacher Resources

FieldScope Activity
Using Data in the Classroom - Questions to Ask
Using Data in the Classroom - YSI Data Set from ERC