Jellyfish Crazy
A WebQuest for High School Biology 

Designed by

Kavin G. Carr & William Roberts


 
 


Introduction | Task | Process | Evaluation | Conclusion | Credits


Introduction
The year is 2020 and after a century long craze over jellyfish as pets and over harvesting as a seafood item --many species of jellyfish are near extinction.  You have been selected to be a member of a team of marine biologists to research and present the impact (if any) that a decline in jellyfish may have on the world's oceans. 
 

 


The Task
     In order to state your case your group must answer these questions:
  • What role do jellyfish play in the foodweb?
  • Do some sea creatures depend on jellyfish as a source of food?  If so, list two.
  • Describe the general life history of a jellyfish.
  • How long can a jellyfish live in captivity as a pet?
  • What do you feed a jellyfish?
  • Construct a foodweb of a moon jellyfish.
  • Make a PowerPoint presentation to the class in order to state your findings.



The Process
 

  1. You will be divided into groups of four and will begin the project in class.
  2. As a group you must search and answer the questions in "The Task". 
  3. Compile the information and discuss your findings.
  4. Then, prepare a PowerPoint presentation to be made before the class.
  5. Your research will be conducted using the following sites.  You may use links from the original sites but you must ask your instructor for approval of additional searches.
  6. Gelatinous zooplankton
  7. Discovery conversations
  8. Stages of a jellyfish
  9. My little jelly pet
  10. Jellyfish exhibits
  11. Now that you have completed the research portion, it is time to discuss with your group members and prepare your PowerPoint presentation.

Evaluation
 
  • Did you complete each portion the the WebQuest (including the PowerPoint presentation) so far?
  • Did you answer All of the questions in "The Task" as a team?
  • Did you construct a foodweb of a moon jellyfish?
  • Is your presentation well organized and equally divided among members of your group? 

Conclusion

Congratulations!  You have done a great job and your phone is ringing off the wall for interviews, book deals, commercials, and movies.  It's time to put your feet up and relax for a while!  Other than learning about jellyfish, you have also learned:
 

  • How to search for reliable websites
  • How to organize your research, discuss, and prepare a PowerPoint presentation.
  • The process of making a professional presentation to an audience.
  • You now know the important role that a variety of organisms and even the importance of various stages in the life of each organism plays in ecosystems of the world.
  • You shared your gained knowledge with others in order to show the importance of animal diversity. 

Credits & References

http://www.vattenkikaren.gu.se/fakta/arter/cnidaria/scyphozoa/aureauri/aureau3e.html
http://www.masla.com/invert/jellyfishpets.html
http://www.discovery.com
http://www.imagequest3d.com/catalogue/jellyfish/

Based on a template from The WebQuest Page