Tool Kit
This Aquatic Invasive Species (AIS) educational tool kit contains lessons for up to one week of classes. Each day’s activity is designed to fill an hour of class time, but activities can be shortened or lengthened to fit the teacher’s plans and available time. Lessons can be given consecutively over a week, or individually as stand-alone lessons. All supplies, diagrams, printouts and worksheets will be provided electronically in a kit. Prior research can be assigned as preparatory homework for the class, or research material can be provided during class.
Minnesota Academic Standards met by this program:
9.1.3.1.1, 9.1.3.3.3, 9.4.2.1.2, 9.4.2.2.2, 9.4.4.1.2, 9.4.4.2.4
Day 1: Introduction to Aquatic Invasive Species (AIS)
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Summary |
| Day one is an introduction to AIS through watching a DNR documentary video (Aquatic Invasive Species – Minnesota Waters At Risk), and then discussing which AIS are present in Beltrami County. AIS specimens will be provided for hands-on learning about the identification of these species. | |
| Materials | |
| Teacher Guide (pdf) | |
| MN DNR Video (YouTube, 24 minutes) | |
| MN DNR Video (YouTube, 11 minutes) | |
| Power Point (pptx) | |
Day 2: Ecosystems and Food Webs
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Summary |
| Students are presented information about aquatic food webs and the specific biology of selected aquatic invasive species (what they eat, etc). Small groups will be assigned 1-2 AIS, and using the information about basic aquatic food webs and AIS biology they will explain how that AIS will affect the aquatic food web. Then each small group presents their findings to the class. | |
| Materials | |
| Teacher Guide(pdf) | |
| Power Point (pptx) | |
| Background reading for students (pdf) | |
| Fact Sheets (pdf) | |
| Importance of Aquatic Biodiversity article (pdf) |
Day 3: Case Study: the Zebra Mussel
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Summary |
| Students are given information about how Zebra mussels spread and their biological requirements. They are also given lake data and characteristics for Beltrami County lakes. In small groups, they will use the lake data and characteristics to assess the risk of each lake for being infested with Zebra mussels in the future. Then each small group presents their findings to the class. | |
| Materials | |
| Teacher Guide (pdf) | |
| Understanding Lake Data article (pdf) | |
| Answer Guide (pptx) |
Day 4: AIS Prevention
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Summary |
| Students are given information about what is being done in Minnesota to prevent AIS and the current Minnesota laws meant to stop the spread of AIS. They are also taught how to inspect a watercraft for AIS by going outside and working through an actual boat. A boat could be provided from a volunteer, the teacher or the DNR. Small dot stickers can be placed around the boat and the kids need to inspect the boat to find the stickers. | |
| Materials | |
| Teacher Guide (pdf) | |
| Power Point (pptx) | |
| MN DNR AIS Videos (YouTube channel) |