shoots, and one measures one shoot in the right hand corner of the quadrat for width and length. Each group will have one third of the 30 numbers they randomly selected before they arrived on the beach. The recorder in each group makes sure the numbers are located accurately so there are 30 sets of measurements by the end of the mapping exercise. When the tide has returned, the data sheets are collected and returned to the classroom. Over time students will notice changes in the density and width of the eelgrass bed they mapped and will have lively discussions as to why that is.


Synthesizing Classroom Studies with Field Experiences


The classroom activities and field trips can be integrated


across curricula. Students can photograph their art displays on the beach tarp and combine them with the pressed plant specimens to include on a wall mural in the classroom. They can write stories about the eelgrass animals they observed on the beach and combine facts about the creatures’ biology with fiction about their lives in the meadow. They can use math to calculate Leaf Area Index (mean eelgrass leaf length and width determined from sampling one eelgrass shoot in each of 30 quadrats) for determining the productivity of an eelgrass bed, and research the history and geography while they find local stories about the locations and uses of this seagrass, including Indigenous traditions.


The table on this page illustrates how lessons can focus on science processes (Gough & Griffiths, 1994).


Maps as Community Connectors


It has been estimated that as much as 80% of the pollution load in the ocean originates from land based activities (NPA, 2007). After researching its history and constructing maps, students might conclude that their local eelgrass meadows are not as dense or as extensive as they were, even as recently as 10-20 years ago. The maps they have created can be used to in- fluence decisions affecting the shoreline, such as the construc- tion of cement seawalls or the creation of riparian set backs to


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For a class of 30, you may want to organize students into groups of three: In each group, one student is the recorder, one the counter of shoots, and one measures one shoot in the right hand corner of the quadrat for width and length. Each group will have one third of the 30 numbers they randomly selected before they arrived on the beach. The recorder in each group makes sure the numbers are located accurately so there are 30 sets of measurements by the end of the mapping exercise. When the tide has returned, the data sheets are collected and returned to the classroom. Over time students will notice changes in the density and width of the eelgrass bed they mapped and will have lively discussions as to why that is.


Eelgrass restoration in Tod Inlet on Vancouver Island.


Students at all grade levels can participate in restoration of eelgrass as part of a community effort to restore damaged fish habitat. Since 2000, in Tod Inlet on southeastern Vancou- ver Island, community members of all ages have completed five eelgrass transplants under the guidance of a local conser- vation group, a scientific advisor in partnership with provincial and federal agencies. Over the past four years, community con- servation groups in 22 communities on the 27,000 km coast have involved students and families on mapping and restoration projects. This level of involvement can start simply with one person committed to a plant in one place, with equipment such as gumboots, an inexpensive tub showing students eelgrass crit- ters, rope and a square of aluminum and pencil and paper.


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The classroom activities and field trips can be integrated across curricula. Stud nts can photograph their art displays on the beach tarp and combine them with the pressed plant specimens to include on a wall mural in the classroom. They can write stories about the eelgrass animals they observed on the beach and combine facts about the creatures’ biology with fiction about their lives in the meadow. They can use math to calculate Leaf Area Index (mean eelgrass leaf length and width determined from sampling one eelgrass shoot in each of 30 quadrats) for determining the productivity of an eelgrass bed, and research the history and geography while they find local stories about the locations paper.


and uses of this seagrass, including Indigenous traditions


The following table illustrates how lessons can focus on science processes (Gough & Griffiths, 1994)


��������� Research Habitat


Aquarium


Detective Game


Beach seining


CLEARING 2010


Inquiries with


organisms ���������


Hypothesis Activity


Touch tubs ����������� Habitat Aquarium/Touch tubs


Eelgrass demo grid Hypothesis Activity


seining Mapping/Monitoring Mapping Beach Manners


Hypothesis Activity


Art Display on the Beach


����������������������������� Eelgrass Restoration


It has been estimated that approximately 222,000 acres of seagrasses worldwide have been lost in the last decade (1990-


���������� ������������� ����������� ������������ ����


Eelgrass em grid


Detective Game


Mapping


Beach seining


It has been estimated that as much as 80% of the pollutio based activities (NPA, 2007). After researching its histor conclude that their local eelgrass meadows are not as den recently as 10-20 yearsd ago. The maps they have created Beachthe shoreline, such as the construction of cement seawall offset the erosion effects of seasonal storm events. Stude council meeting, at festivals, in brochures and in presenta


Mapping


Detective Game Monitoring Beach seining


associations. Mapping Beach press


www.clearingmagazine.org/online Monitoring Monitoring


of all ages have heightened awareness of the importance and have been included in regional atlases, official comm and First Nations treaty negotiations. Knowing that their even fourth graders will take special care for accuracy.


On the BC coast, we are making eelgrass a household te Page 31


It has acres o the las 2003) agricu shorel name


Eelgrass restoration in Tod Inlet on Vancouver Island


Students at all grade levels can participate in restoration restore damaged fish habitat. Since 2000, in Tod Inlet on members of all ages have completed five eelgrass transpl conservation group, a scientific advisor in partnership wi past four years, community conservation groups in 22 co involved students and families on mapping and restoratio start simply with one person committed to a plant in one inexpensive tub showing students eelgrass critters, rope a


offset the erosion effects of seasonal storm events. Students’ maps can be displayed at a local council meeting, at festivals, in brochures and in presentations to other schools or commu- nity associations.


On the BC coast, we are making eelgrass a household term, because these maps created by people of all ages have heightened awareness of the importance of this crucial under- water plant community and have been included in regional atlases, official community plans and shellfish aquaculture plans and First Nations treaty negotiations. Knowing that their data collection has far reaching influence, even fourth graders will take special care for accuracy.


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