From the Bayous of Louisiana to the Gulf of Alaska: Bringing Real-World Science into the Classroom: Earthwatch Live from the Field and NOAA Teacher at Sea Fellowships

The Expedition 0 The team consisted of: 0 7 teachers 0 The principal investigator, Dr. Lee Dyer 0 Our expedition leader, Rebecca Hazen

The Research 0 We studied the effect of extreme weather events on “tritrophic relationships 0 Extreme weather events =hurricanes 0 Tritrophic relationship = plants, caterpillars and parasitoids (wasps, and flies that lay their eggs in caterpillars)

The Procedure 0 First we sampled plots of land in the Pearl River Wildlife Management Area. 0 Every caterpillar possible was collected. 0 Back at the lab the caterpillars were identified, photographed and catalogued. 0 The caterpillars were then cared for until they formed chrysalids and hatched into moths or died.

The Importance of this Research 0 Caterpillars are one of our main agricultural pests. 0 The concern is that extreme weather events may decrease the population of the parasitoids. 0 If the population of parasitoids decreases, then the caterpillar population should increase. 0 This could cause increased deforestation and crop damage.

The Classroom Connection 0 We kept in touch with our classes through blogs and videoconferencing.

Community Connection 0 Students worked with seniors to plan and build a butterfly garden at the Willington Senior community Center

NOAA Teacher at Sea: Researching Pollack in the Gulf of Alaska

0 Ecosystem and Fisheries- Oceanography Coordinated Investigations (FOCI) Late Larval Survey 0 Dutch Harbor, Alaska to Kodiak Island, Alaska 0 May19 – June 2, 2010

0 What - Ichthyoplankton survey and process studies 0 Where – Gulf of Alaska from Shumagin Islands to Shelikoff Straits 0 Why - To estimate the abundance, transport, and factors influencing the survival of young Pollock larvae.

0 Also known as Walleye Pollock 0 Member of Cod family 0 Lives in the North Pacific and Bering Sea 0 Mid-water to bottom dwelling fish 0 Lifespan is up to 17 years. 0 Young feed on plankton and small fish; older Pollock feed mostly on fish 0 Main predator is the Stellar Sea Lion

The Importance of this Research 0 Research is part of the management program for a commercially important fishery 0 Researchers are creating a model to show future abundance of adults based on larval survival rates. 0 Will compare to actual population numbers obtained from fisheries researchers who sample the adult harvest 0 Pollock is declining – possible causes are predation by Arrowtooth flounder on juveniles and changes in water temperature

Deploying the CTD Sampler

The Gulf of Alaska

The Classroom Connection: 0 Students accompanied me on my journey through the use of my blog 0 Each day they would read the newest post and then complete their challenge activity and post their questions for my to answer

Community Connection How can we help protect LIS? 0 Go to Long Island Sound Study website: you-can-do/ to learn about what students can do to help protect the Sound. you-can-do/ 0 International Coastal Clean-up

How to follow along 0 You can access this power point, my blogs and resources at my 7 th or 8 th grade Wikis

Earthwatch Live From the Field and NOAA Teacher at Sea Bring the Science Home