WebQuest for 9th Grade Biology I Designed by: Mary Margaret Ulderich Gray Bats in Tennessee WebQuest for 9th Grade Biology I Designed by: Mary Margaret Ulderich Introduction Task Process Resources Evaluation Rubric Conclusion Credits Learning Objectives Curriculum Standards

Introduction In the United States, there are 496 animals and 735 plants that are threatened or endangered. In Tennessee there are 90 endangered plants and animals. How does human activity contribute to the problem of threatened and endangered plants and animals? Imagine you are a scientist working to preserve Gray Bats in Tennessee. For you to complete the task, you must have an understanding of Threatened and Endangered species. Threatened Species: a species likely, in the near future, to become an endangered species within all or much of its range. Endangered Species: A species present in such small numbers that it is at risk of extinction. Home Task Process Resources Evaluation Rubric Conclusion Credits Learning Objectives Curriculum Standards

Task Your group will research the gray bat and determine the proper habitat, niche, abiotic and biotic factors needed to sustain a healthy population. You will also discover the dangers to the ecosystem if the gray bat becomes extinct. You will research human activities that caused gray bats to become endangered. After research data has been collected, you will present your findings to your classmates in the form of a PowerPoint presentation. You will then perform a Persuasion Task by writing letters to the Tennessee General Assembly outlining your research and asking for changes in the law to promote a healthy gray bat population. You will also participate in a field trip to Dunbar Cave in Middle Tennessee to observe gray bats in their natural habitat. Home Introduction Process Resources Evaluation Rubric Conclusion Credits Learning Objectives Curriculum Standards

Process Use the following worksheet. Human Impact on Gray Bats WebQuest Worksheet.doc Research the gray bat’s habitat, niche, abiotic and biotic factors needed in order to have a healthy population. Discover human activities that interfere with gray bat populations. Summarize what will happen to the ecosystem if the gray bat becomes extinct. Prepare a 7 slide persuasive PowerPoint presentation. Write 2 letters to the Tennessee General Assembly to promote eco-friendly laws. Home Introduction Task Resources Evaluation Rubric Conclusion Credits Learning Objectives Curriculum Standards

Resources The following is a list of websites that you may find helpful during your research. Dunbar Cave State Park Endangered Species Endangered Species Guide sheet: Gray Bat Gray Bat U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service: Gray Bat Fact Sheet World Wildlife Fund Physorg: Gray Bats Making a Comeback Letter Writing Guide Business Letter Format Home Introduction Task Process Evaluation Rubric Conclusion Credits Learning Objectives Curriculum Standards

Evaluation Rubric Home Introduction Task Process Resources Conclusion Credits Learning Objectives Curriculum Standards

Conclusion You have successfully completed the WebQuest and learned about gray bats in Tennessee and how humans impact their survival. You have also determined the proper habitat, niche, abiotic and biotic factors needed for the gray bat to survive in a healthy population. By writing the letters to the Tennessee General Assembly, you have a direct impact on their survival in Tennessee. Now that you have learned about Gray Bats in Tennessee, you will participate in a field trip to Dunbar Cave, near Clarksville, TN to observe Gray Bats in their natural habitat. In your research about Gray Bats, you may have encountered other endangered plants or animals you are interested in researching. You may want to learn how you can become involved in protecting them around the world. There are many organizations that work to protect plants and animals from extinction that would welcome your help. Home Introduction Task Process Resources Evaluation Rubric Credits Learning Objectives Curriculum Standards

Credits Internet Websites for students Pictures/Clip Art Dunbar Cave State Park Endangered Species U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service: Gray Bat Fact Sheet World Wildlife Fund Physorg: Gray Bats Making a Comeback Letter Writing Guide Business Letter Format Pictures/Clip Art Dunbar State Park U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Microsoft Office software WebQuest Template Dr. Glenda Rakes, University of TN-Martin Dunbar Cave Home Introduction Task Process Resources Evaluation Rubric Conclusion Learning Objectives Curriculum Standards

Learning Objectives At the end of this WebQuest the students will: Using the Web sites provided in the WebQuest, the student will record information about the habitat, niche, and at least 10 abiotic, and 10 biotic factors of the gray bat. Using the Web sites provided in the WebQuest, the student will record information about the relationship between human impact on the environment and the gray bat being placed on the Endangered Species list. Create a persuasive PowerPoint presentation for the class with at least 7 slides using the data collected through the WebQuest project with the purpose of outlining their research and proposals for changes in Tennessee law to promote a healthy gray bat population to the class. Write at least two grammatically correct letters to members of the Tennessee General Assembly outlining their research and asking for changes in Tennessee law to promote a healthy gray bat population. Home Introduction Task Process Resources Evaluation Rubric Conclusion Credits Curriculum Standards

Curriculum Standards Tennessee Curriculum Standards Biology I SPI 2.4 Investigate an outdoor habitat to identify the abiotic and biotic factors, plant and animal populations, producers, consumers, and decomposers. SPI 2.5 Conduct research on how human influences have changed an ecosystem and communicate findings through written or oral presentations. SPI 2.4 Predict how various types of human activities affect the environment. SPI 2.5 Make inferences about how a specific environmental change can affect the amount of biodiversity. SPI 2.6 Predict how a specific environmental change may lead to the extinction of a particular species. Home Introduction Task Process Resources Evaluation Rubric Conclusion Credits Learning Objectives