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Horseshoe Crabs
and Delaware Bay Shorebirds
A WebQuest
for Grade Designed by A. Stoner and
B. Wms. Elliott
Introduction | Task | Process | Evaluation | Conclusion | Credits | They’re bizarre, they resemble miniature army tanks, they have ten eyes, and yet the horseshoe crab has become the center of a major controversy in several coastal communities of the Delaware Bay Region. The relationship between the horseshoe crab and the birding/fishing/biomedical industries is complex and has created a heated debate among these various factions. For this WebQuest you will become a member of a Research Pod. Your job will be to investigate and explore the issues related to your specific area of expertise. You will be taking on the role of one of the following special interest groups: Naturalist, Audubon Society, Fishing/Farming Industry, Tourism Director, Biomedical Researcher, or a general Fact Finder. Your Research Pod’s goal is to present information to help determine how to best strike a balance between the uses of horseshoe crabs and the various special interest groups.
The Governor’s Council on Coastal Communities is trying to make a
fair decision on the horseshoe crab issue. They need to be informed on all sides of the debate. You will participate in a presentation as a representative of your
special interest group. There are other groups of people who also have interests in the
issue and will not share your views. The Governor’s Council on Coastal Communities will use the
information and opinions you present to make a decision. Therefore, the quality of your contribution to the presentation will
influence their decisions. Make a good case in exposing the Governor’s
Council on Coastal Communities to the facts. There is no right or wrong answer to this very difficult issue. The
class will use this information to explore the different perspectives
in order to help make sense of environment and human interactions. Depending on your teacher’s instructions, you will be required to
complete one of the following tasks that examines the controversy
between special interests groups. Special Interest Group Roles:
The Process It is your job to research and reflect as much as possible on the issue. There are 3 main parts to this project: Part 1: Research and Information Part 2: Completing the designated Task Part 3: Presentation -- Report your findings to the Governor’s Council on Coastal Communities. Follow your teacher's guidelines on how to break into Research Pods of 5 members. Before you begin your research:
Journal Set-Up: Every Journal entry must have
AccomplishmentsAny difficulties you encounteredAny new questions generated by your research/findingsIf you worked with your Pod or a partner, indicate the level of cooperation
Evaluation Student Self-Assessment RubricGroup WorkYour teacher will go through this rubric with you before your group starts its task. As you work, think about where you would place yourself in these categories. After your work is complete, evaluate your own work as a group member, using this rubric. Name ____________________________________________________ Group Members _____________________________________________ Role Chosen_______________________________________________
Conclusion Congratulations! Your Research Pod has successfully gathered information to present to the Governor's Council on Coastal Communities. Credits & References
Special thank you to Benjie Swan of Limuli Laboratories, Cape May, New Jersey and The Nature Center of Cape May. The following materials were also used in the development of this WebQuest: Down Jersey-Celebrating Our Sense of Place sponsored by Citizens United, PO Box 474, Millville, New Jersey 08332; the Cape May County Herald Newspaper; and the video The Crabs, the Birds, the Bay by New Jersey Audubon Center for Research and Education (609-861-0700). |