Leatherback Sea

Turtle
WebQuest for 9th Grade
Biology I
Designed by:
Mary Margaret Ulderich

Introduction

Task

Process

Resources

Evaluation Rubric

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Learning Objectives

Curriculum Standards

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.

Home Task

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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.

Home Introduction Process

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Evaluation Rubric Conclusion

Credits Learning Objectives

Curriculum Standards

Process
Use the following worksheet. Human Impact on Leatherback Sea
Turtles WebQuest Worksheet.doc
Research the Leatherback Sea Turtles 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.

Home Introduction Task Resources Evaluation Rubric Conclusion

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Resources
The following is a list of websites that you may find helpful during
your research.

Home

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

Introduction

Task

Process

Evaluation Rubric

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Curriculum Standards

Evaluation Rubric
Task

None
0

Beginner
1-3

Developing
4-6

Accomplished
7-9

Exemplary
10

10 Abiotic
Factors

Does not list any

abiotic factors

Lists 1-3 abiotic factors

Lists 4-6 abiotic factors

Lists 7-9 abiotic

factors

Lists 10 abiotic
factors

10 Biotic
Factors

Does not list any

biotic factors

Lists 1-3 biotic factors

Lists 4-6 biotic factors

Lists 7-9 biotic

factors

Lists 10 biotic
factors

Niche
Description

Does not describe

the niche

Attempts to describe
the niche

Describes the niche

with much accuracy

Describes the niche

with exact accuracy

Habitat
Description

Does not describe

the habitat

Attempts to describe
the habitat

Describes the habitat

with much accuracy

Describes the habitat

with exact accuracy

Human
Impact on
Leatherback
Sea Turtles

Does not describe

the human impact
on Leatherback
Sea Turtles

Attempts to describe
the human impact on
Leatherback Sea
Turtles

Describes the niche

with somewhat
accurate data
Describes the habitat
with somewhat
accurate data
Describes the human
impact on Leatherback
Sea Turtles with
somewhat accurate data

PowerPoint

Does not make a

PowerPoint

Prepares a 1-2 slide

PowerPoint with
somewhat accurate data

Prepares a 3-4 slide

PowerPoint with
accurate data

Describes the human

impact on
Leatherback Sea
Turtles with much
accuracy
Prepares a 5-6 slide
PowerPoint with
accurate data

Describes the human

impact on
Leatherback Sea
Turtles with exact
accuracy
Prepares a 7 slide
PowerPoint with
accurate data

Letters to the
U.S. Congress

Does not write 2

letters to the
General Assembly

Writes 1 letter with

many grammatical
errors

Writes 2 letters with

many grammatical
errors

Writes 2 letters with

few grammatical
errors

Writes 2 letters with

no grammatical
errors

Score

Final Grade __________

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Introduction

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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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Learning Objectives

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Credits
Internet Websites for students
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
Home

Introduction Task

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Learning Objectives

Curriculum Standards

Learning Objectives
At the end of this WebQuest the students will:

Home

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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Curriculum Standards

Curriculum Standards
Tennessee Curriculum Standards
Biology I

Check for Understanding 3210.2.4 Investigate an outdoor habitat to identify the

abiotic and biotic factors, plant and animal populations, producers, consumers, and
decomposers.
Check for Understanding 3210.2.5 Conduct research on how human influences have
changed an ecosystem and communicate findings through written or oral presentations.
SPI 3210.2.4 Predict how various types of human activities affect the environment.
SPI 3210.2.5 Make inferences about how a specific environmental change can affect
the amount of biodiversity.
SPI 3210.2.6 Predict how a specific environmental change may lead to the extinction of
a particular species.
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Introduction

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Learning Objectives