Teacher-created innovative invasive species lessons to achieve state science standards

Session: Great Lakes Outreach and Education (1)

Joan Chadde, Center for Science & Environmental Outreach, Michigan Technological University, [email protected]
Jeffrey Ram, Wayne State University, Dept. of Physiology, [email protected]

Abstract

Teacher-created, hands-on lessons promote invasive species literacy amongst grades 4-12 students and achieve positive impacts protecting the environment.  After attending a 6-hour invasive species workshop, more than two dozen educators submitted lesson plans for posting on the internet.  We will demonstrate activities from several lessons, including students designing public service announcement videos, producing informative powerpoints and posters, and engineering barriers to invaders.  Lesson plans are posted on the Belle Isle Aquarium website and keyed to standards in science, social studies, and English language arts to assist educators in achieving their curricular objectives. Educators participating in this grant-funded project also presented at conferences and published lessons in education journals and newsletters.