Becoming Scientists: Collecting Data
Topics: Fish Food webs Population Studies Scientific Process
Skills: Data Collection Observation Using tools
Grade Levels: Grades 3-5 Grades 6-8 Grades 9-12 Grades K-2
Resource Types: Kits
This lesson will help students learn why and how fisheries managers conduct fish surveys. Students will become familiar with some of the equipment and survey methods that Minnesota DNR fisheries biologists use.
Special authorization, equipment, and expertise are needed to conduct a fish population survey in an actual lake, but you can conduct a survey simulation with student participation. They conduct a problem solving investigation that helps them determine why local anglers are catching fewer fish in their lake. Using tagging survey techniques and a ratio formula students estimate the number of “walleye” in a container (representing a lake).
Minnesota Science Standards: 3.1.1.1.1, 3.1.1.2.4, 3.1.3.2.1., 3.1.3.2.2., 5.1.3.4.1, 5.4.4.1.1, 7.1.1.2.3, 7.1.3.4.2, 7.4.4.1.2, 8.1.1.2.1, 8.1.3.3.2, 8.3.4.1.2, 9.1.1.1.2, 9.1.1.1.4, 9.1.1.2.3, 9.1.3.3.2, 9.1.3.4.2
Becoming a Scientist – Selecting Tools and Collecting Data Lesson Plan