Making Research Connections
to the Classroom:
Gelatinous Predators
Invade the Classroom!


	Teacher:	Nina Hoffman
	School:	Argyle Middle School, Montgomery County, MD
	PI:	Dr. Eileen Setzler-Hamilton
	Lab:	Chesapeake Biological Laboratory, Solomons, MD

Project Summary

Nina with 1-m plankton net off of CBL pier

My time at the Chesapeake Biological Laboratory had been taken up by two main projects: 1) a jellfish and ctenophore research project and 2) helping to organize educational classes. In my reserach, I worked with Dr. Eileen Setzler-Hamilton and two volunteer high school students, Jessica Salisbury and Roxanne Arellano, on the seasonal distribution, abundance, and role of gelantinous zooplankton predators in Chesapeake Bay. Specifically, we collected samples of Mnemiopsis leidyi (comb jelly), Beroe ovata (pink comb jelly), Chrysaora quinquechirra (sea nettle), and Cyanea capillata (lions mane). We used three different methods of collecting data: 1) 1-m plankton net, 2) dip net, and 3) direct count. After measuring and analyzing samples, organisms were carefully returned to the water where they were collected.

Teachers at the "Jellyfish and their Cousins"
workshop conducting a ctenophore feeding experiment

In addition to sampling, I am currently analyzing the data using Excel. I am taking the data colected from 2001-2002, calculation the mean, standard deviation, and range of each organism, and then graphing the data in order to find any trends.

The second, and smaller part, of what I did at CBL was helping to organize classes for teachers and other groups that visit the lab. I helped plan and set-up an oyster reef for a group of Chinese businessmen that were expected to come to CBL for a class. I also planned and presented a lesson to teachers at the "Jellyfish and their Cousins" workshop. This was a one-day workshop for K-12 teachers from Maryland and Virginia. Currently, I am working with Jackie Takacs to add the lesson that I presented to the Maryland Sea Grant website.

Classroom Activity Summary

"Feeding Rates of Comb Jellies"

by
Nina Hoffman, Argyle MS
Adapted from Dr. Jennifer E. Purcell, et. al.

Grade Level:	K-12
MD High School Core Learning Goals:	Science Goal 1 - Skills and Processes Expectations - 1.1, 1.2, 1.3, 1.4, 1.5, 1.6 Science Goal 2 - Concepts of Biology Expectations - 3.2, 3.5
Major Emphasis:	Chesapeake Bay Ecology
Major Curriculum Area:	Science
Related Curriculum Area:	Math
Learning Objectives:	The students will be able to: Explain the niche that comb jellies occupy in the aquatic environment Describe comb jelly anatomy Describe the cilicary action and its relation on feeding rates in comb jellies Analyze the effect of food density on feeding rates in comb jellies

Engagement Activity

Ctenophore Web Quest

Use the web to answer the following questions. Make sure you answer the questions using complete sentences. Be sure to include the website where you found each answer.

How do you correctly pronounce "ctenophore"?
What is the classification information for Mnemiopsis leiydi?
Are ctenophores a type of jellyfish?
Do ctenophores have stinging cells that can sting other organisms?
What do ctenophores eat?
How do ctenophores eat if they do not have eyes?
What type of animals prey on ctenophores?
Where would you find ctenophores?
What color are ctenophores?
Why are ctenophores sometimes referred to as a "warty" comb jelly?
Do ctenophores have tentacles?
About how many different species of ctenophores are there?
How do ctenophores move?
Why are ctenophores bad for the ecosystem?
List 2 facts that you learned about ctenophores that you found interesting that were not listed in the above questions. Remember to list the web site where you found the facts.