AIS Education

 

AIS Education for Schools in Hubbard County

For questions or to implement this at your schools, contact Ellie Kriese, email, 218-846-1465

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.

This program was funded by the Otter Tail County AIS Task Force and Hubbard County Coalition of Lake Associations.

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

Program Summary and Standard Narrative

Day 1: Introduction to Aquatic Invasive Species (AIS)
MinnesotaLakes 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 Hubbard 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)
Wildlife Forever Video (YouTube, 3.5 minutes)
PowerPoint  (pptx)
Preserved AIS specimens (get from Ellie)
Day 2: Ecosystems and Food Webs
food chain 2 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)
PowerPoint(pptx)
Background info for reading (pdf)
AIS factsheets(pdf)                                                                                                                                                                                                                      Additional AIS Facts Resources:                                                                                                                                                                                         Silver Carp; Bighead Carp; Hydrilla; Hubbard County Environmental Services-AIS Program; Starry Stonewort
Importance of Aquatic Biodiversity article (pdf)
Day 3: Case Study: the Zebra Mussel
zebra-mussel Summary
Students are given information about how zebra mussels spread and their biological requirements.  They are also given lake data and characteristics for Hubbard 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
Inspect 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)
PowerPoint(pptx)
MN DNR AIS Videos (YouTube channel)