1. Leatherback Sea Turtle
WebQuest for 9th Grade Biology I
Designed by:
Mary Margaret Ulderich
Introduction
Task
Process
Resources
Evaluation Rubric
Conclusion
Credits
Learning Objectives
Curriculum Standards

2. Introduction
In the United States, there are 496 animals and 735 plants that are threatened or endangered. How does human activity contribute to the problem of threatened and endangered plants and animals?
Imagine you are a scientist working to preserve Leatherback Sea Turtles.
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.
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3. Task
Your group will research Leatherback Sea Turtles 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 Leatherback Sea Turtle becomes extinct. You will research human activities that caused Leatherback Sea Turtles 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 U.S. Congress outlining your research and asking for changes in the law to promote a healthy Leatherback Sea Turtle population.
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4. Process
Use the following worksheet. Human Impact on Leatherback Sea Turtles WebQuest Worksheet.doc
Research the Leatherback Sea Turtle’s habitat, niche, abiotic and biotic factors needed in order to have a healthy population.
Discover human activities that interfere with Leatherback Sea Turtle populations.
Summarize what will happen to the ecosystem if the Leatherback Sea Turtle becomes extinct.
Prepare a 7 slide persuasive PowerPoint presentation.
Write 2 letters to the U.S. Congress to promote eco-friendly laws.
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5. Resources
The following is a list of websites that you may find helpful during your research.
Animal Diversity Web
Leatherback Sea Turtles-An Endangered Species
An Introduction to Sea Turtles
Why Care About Sea Turtles?
Species Fact Sheet-Leatherback Sea Turtle
NOAA Fisheries-Office of Protected Resources
Sea Turtles-Endangered Species
Letter Writing Guide
Business Letter Format
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6. Evaluation Rubric Final Grade __________ Home Introduction Task
Process
Resources
Conclusion
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Learning Objectives
Curriculum Standards

7. Conclusion
You have successfully completed the WebQuest and learned about Leatherback Sea Turtles and how humans impact their survival. You have also determined the proper habitat, niche, abiotic and biotic factors needed for the Leatherback Sea Turtles to survive in a healthy population. By writing the letters to the United States Congress, you have a direct impact on their survival.
In your research about Leatherback Sea Turtles, 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.
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Introduction
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8. Credits Internet Websites for students Pictures/Clip Art
Leatherback Sea Turtles-An Endangered Species
An Introduction to Sea Turtles
Why Care About Sea Turtles?
Species Fact Sheet-Leatherback Sea Turtle
NOAA Fisheries-Office of Protected Resources
Sea Turtles-Endangered Species
Letter Writing Guide
Business Letter Format
Pictures/Clip Art
Caribbean Conservation Corporation
Microsoft Office software
WebQuest Template
Dr. Glenda Rakes, University of TN-Martin
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9. 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 Leatherback Sea Turtle.
Using the Web sites provided in the WebQuest, the student will record information about the relationship between human impact on the environment and the Leatherback Sea Turtle 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 the law to promote a healthy Leatherback Sea Turtle population to the class.
Write at least two grammatically correct letters to members of the United States Congress outlining the research and asking for changes in the law to promote a healthy Leatherback Sea Turtle population.
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10. Curriculum Standards Tennessee Curriculum Standards Biology I
Check for Understanding Investigate an outdoor habitat to identify the abiotic and biotic factors, plant and animal populations, producers, consumers, and decomposers.
Check for Understanding Conduct research on how human influences have changed an ecosystem and communicate findings through written or oral presentations.
SPI Predict how various types of human activities affect the environment.
SPI Make inferences about how a specific environmental change can affect the amount of biodiversity.
SPI Predict how a specific environmental change may lead to the extinction of a particular species.
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