Predator-Prey Interactions in Modern Settings

H. Allen Curran

Smith College

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This activity has benefited from input from faculty educators beyond the author through a review and suggestion process. This review took place as a part of a faculty professional development workshop where groups of faculty reviewed each others' activities and offered feedback and ideas for improvements. To learn more about the process On the Cutting Edge uses for activity review, see http://serc.carleton.edu/NAGTWorkshops/review.html.

Initial Publication Date: June 4, 2009

Summary

A project on predator-prey interactions in modern marine settings, with emphasis on developing student skills in producing and analyzing paleontologic data. Project designed by Prof. Sara Pruss at Smith College.

Paleoecology , Paleoenvironmental Reconstruction | College Lower (13-14), College Upper (15-16)

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Context

Audience

Undergraduate required course in invertebrate paleontology and paleoecology.

Skills and concepts that students must have mastered

observation and identification of shell materials
data compilation and presentation
data interpretation
basic statistical analysis
use of paleontologic literature
oral presentation
written final report
team-work skills

How the activity is situated in the course

Semester-length research project.

Goals

Content/concepts goals for this activity

Higher order thinking skills goals for this activity

data compilation and analysis, formulation of hypotheses, critical analysis of data and of pertinent paleontologic literature, synthesis of ideas.

Other skills goals for this activity

short report writing
PowerPoint presentation
working with a partner

Description of the activity/assignment

Guidelines, rationale, and expected outcomes for the predator-prey interactions paleontologic project are described in detail on the project description sheet.