TEACHER MATERIALS
How vulnerable is my community to the threat of an algal bloom?
“Wonder Why – Overnight Algal Blooms”
In this activity, the students will look at and wonder about “before” and “after” algal bloom photos.
“What Is Algae?”
In this activity, the students will learn basic facts about algae by playing a true/false learning game. The true/false questions for the game are provided below. After playing the game, the students will review what they learned by watching a video.
“What Happens Next? Eutrophication”
In this activity, the students will make predictions about the eutrophication process based on what they have already learned about algae. As they watch a video about eutrophication, they will make their predictions about the different steps in the process using the provided handout. You may also want to supplement their knowledge of nutrient pollution using the provided slides.
“Eutrophication Explained” video
“Eutrophication Process” predictions handout
“Algal Blooms in My State”
In this activity, the students will study water testing data related to algal blooms in their state. They will complete one of the activities listed below and then report back to a partner about what they learned. Nebraska Algal Bloom Map
The Harmful Effects of Algal Blooms
In this activity, the students will discover how algal blooms threaten the health of both animals and humans. First, they will read one of the articles from the first list below (student choice). Then, as they discuss what they read as a class, they will reference a list of symptoms related to toxic algal blooms. Finally, they will read one of the articles from the second list below (assigned).
Articles – List #1
Articles – List #2
“Round Robin – The Indirect Effects of Algal Blooms”
In this activity, the students will brainstorm about the indirect effects of algal blooms. At the end of the activity, to supplement their understanding of the topic, the students will read the articles listed below.
“Identifying Toxic Algae”
In this activity, the students will learn how to distinguish between harmful and harmless types of freshwater algae. First, they will watch a video about different types of algae and fill out the first section of a corresponding handout. Then, they will watch a video about the “stick test” and fill out the rest of their handout.
“Algae Corner: How to Identify Different Algae Types” video
“EGLE Classroom: Identifying Harmful Algal Blooms”
“Measuring Algal Bloom Risks – Writing a Procedure”
In this activity, the students will create a procedure for testing water for algal bloom preconditions. They will base their procedure on the provided sources.