Sea Otter Biologist Activity Book
This book features five hands-on activities designed for 8-to
12-year-olds. Each activity includes one 30-to 45-minute project and
extensions. Activities can be used in any order. Also included are objectives
and learning outcomes, assessment questions, ideas for a presentation
or exhibit and topics for further investigation.
Table of Contents
Otters in Action /ACTIVITY ONE
Watch a video about biologist Brenda Ballachey, then observe sea otters
and record their behavior.
Learning Outcomes: Youth develop an understanding of animal behavior
and learn to collect, analyze, interpret and display data.
Kelp Critters /ACTIVITY TWO
Make a kelp forest community in your classroom.
Learning Outcomes: Youth develop an understanding of the characteristics
of living things and ecosystems.
Fragile Waters /ACTIVITY THREE
Learn about the Exxon Valdez oil spill and conduct three oil investigations.
Learning Outcomes: Youth develop an understanding of natural hazards
and environmental changes, and learn to collect and organize data and
interpret their findings.
Otter Smorgasbord /ACTIVITY FOUR
Investigate how much food a sea otter pup needs to eat during the first
year of life.
Learning Outcomes: Youth learn to collect data, calculate, and solve
mathematical problems using the data, and interpret and communicate
their findings.
Tracking Otters /ACTIVITY FIVE
Discover how scientists track sea otters,and then try it yourself.
Learning Outcomes: Youth learn to use simple tools to gather scientific
data and extend the senses.
Pulling It All Together
Create a story about a scientist who works with sea otters.
Learning Outcomes: Youth draw on what they have learned in the activities
to construct their own understanding of what it means to be a scientist.
New Wonders
Here are some ideas you might like to use for projects or exhibits.
Learning Outcomes: Youth develop an understanding of science and technology
in society and of science as a human endeavor.
Permission is given
to educators to reproduce these pages for classroom and training purposes
only.