2000, Stipes Publishing L.L.C.
Gerald R. Culen, Harold Hungerford, and Trudi L. Volk
This case study consists of five chapters, taking the learner from knowledge associated with coastal marine ecosystems, through the biodiversity of these systems, and human impacts on them. In the tradition of similar issue-focused, community-based curricular materials from Stipes Publishing Company, this worktext helps individuals learn about important ecological concepts in addition to the higher order thinking skills that they use for the in-depth investigation and evaluation of coastal marine issues. After completing their issue investigations, the learners develop citizenship action plans that will be evaluated for use in helping to resolve these issues.
Among the issues to which the learners are introduced in this case study are critical Gulf fishery issues associated with the harvesting of the red fish, turtles vs. cars on Florida beaches, collecting and selling marine species for the aquarium market, human impact on coral reefs, human impact on native coastal woodlots, coastal land-use management, ocean dumping, the impact of exotic species such as the Brazilian pepper, beach replenishment, the Anastasia Island beach mouse, and the Gulf sturgeon.
This case study has been successfully trial tested in a number of classrooms in the Southeast. Given the research conducted with other applications of the issue investigation and evaluation instructional model, we expect to get rave reviews on this unique case study from middle and secondary teachers and students throughout the Gulf Coast.
Student and teacher editions available. Grades 6 - 12