Welcome to Virtual Explorers

Meeting Curriculum Objectives

As you and your students participate in this virtual expedition to study the manatees of Belize, you will find many opportunities to meet curriculum objectives in an integrated and realistic setting. A science research project such as this requires skills not only in science, but also in mathematics, social studies, language arts, information skills, and technology. Using the outline in the student section as a stand-alone project will fulfill national science and mathematics standards as outlined below. Also, the task presented for students in the student section Your Invitation is a realistic exercise in argumentative, problem/solution writing.

On this page you will also find suggestions for developing specific grade level units based on the manatee project and aligned to the North Carolina Standard Course of Study.

We would appreciate your taking the time to evaluate this experience at the completion of the project so that we might improve our service to students on future expeditions.

National Science Education Standards
National Mathematics Standards
North Carolina Grade 5 Unit
North Carolina Grade 6 Unit
North Carolina Grade 7 Unit
North Carolina Grade 8 Unit
North Carolina Earth and Environmental Science Unit

National Science Education Standards

Science as InquiryLife Science

Structure and function in living systems
Reproduction and heredity
Regulation and behavior
Populations and ecosystems
Diversity and adaptations of organisms

Science in Personal and Social Perspectives

Populations, resources, and environments

History and Nature of Science

Science as a human endeavor
Nature of science

Grade 5

Use the “People of Belize” section of the web site as a case study in Latin American history and culture.
Explore the resources of Belize and focus on the way the people use these resources.
Use the manatee sections of the web site to investigate how the people of Belize are managing their environment.
Design sea-grass/manatee food webs.
Examine data uploaded to the web site to analyze the characteristics of the ecosystem and its capacity to support the manatees.
Compare the issues surrounding the Belizean manatees with those surrounding the Florida manatees.
Use the student section to guide students into comparing conservation issues in Latin America and in the United States.
Encourage students to participate in the online discussion.

Social Studies Curriculum Objectives

1.1 Identify, locate, and describe major groups of people, past and present, in the United States, Canada, and Latin America.
1.2 Describe similarities and differences among the people of the United States, Canada, and Latin America.
3.2 Analyze the impact of the absolute and relative location of places on ways of living in the United States, Canada, and Latin America.
5.3 Analyze causes and consequences of the misuse of the physical environment and propose alternatives
9.2 Compare ways resources are used in the United States, Canada, and Latin America.

Science Curriculum Objectives

1.01 Assess a variety of ecosystems (communities of organisms and their interaction with the environment).
1.02 Determine the function of organisms within the population of the ecosystem: producers, consumers, and decomposers.
1.03 Evaluate the variety of organisms an ecosystem can support.
1.04 Relate the role of light, range of temperatures, and soil composition to an ecosystem's capacity to support life.
1.05 Evaluate the major source of energy for ecosystems (sunlight) and how it is passed from organism to organism in food webs.
1.06 Assess the interaction of organisms within an ecosystem.

Grade 6

Explore the unique ecosystem of the Gulf Stream and illustrate an aquatic food web.
Using this web site, investigate how manatees obtain food and water.
Investigate manatee behavior
Predict what factors might disrupt the food web of the manatee.
Use the student section of this web site to formulate a conservation plan to protect the manatee ecosystem.

Science Curriculum Objectives

2.02 Differentiate between the interconnected terrestrial and aquatic global food webs.
2.03 Describe ways in which organisms interact with each other and with non-living parts of the environment:
2.04 Evaluate the consequences of disrupting food webs

Language Arts Curriculum Objectives

2.01 Explore informational materials that are read, heard, and/or viewed by:

-reviewing the characteristics of informational works.
-restating and summarizing information.
-determining the importance of information.
-making connections to related topics/information.
-monitoring comprehension.
-drawing inferences.
-generating questions.

3.02 Explore the problem solution process by:

-studying examples (in literature and other text) that present problems coherently, describe the solution clearly, sequence reasons to support the solution, and show awareness of audience.
-preparing individual and/or group essays and presentations.

3.03 Study arguments that evaluate through:

-exploring examples that show a firm control of sound judgments, audience awareness, clear idea/theme, and the use of relevant and coherent reasons for support.
-preparing individual and/or group essays and presentations.

Grade 7

Using annual temperature maps and the information on the web site, predict where else in the world manatees might be found.
Predict how global warming might affect manatee migration patterns.
Investigate the climate conditions that create hurricanes in the Caribbean.
Predict how hurricanes might affect manatee habitats.
Investigate how the people of Belize prepare for and manage severe weather events.
Participate in the argumentative writing task outlined in the student section.

Language Arts Curriculum Objectives

2.01 Respond to informational materials that are read, heard, and/or viewed by:

summarizing information.

-determining the importance of information.

-making connections to related topics/information.

-monitoring comprehension.

-drawing inferences.

-generating questions.

3.02 Use the problem-solution process by:

-analyzing problems and solutions within various texts and situations.

-utilizing the problem-solution process within various contexts/situations.

-constructing essays/presentations that respond to a given problem by proposing a solution that includes relevant details.

3.03 Create arguments that evaluate by:

-stating a firm judgment.
-justifying the judgment with logical, relevant reasons, clear examples, and supporting details.

-creating an organizing structure appropriate to purpose, audience, and context

Science Curriculum Objectives

1.03 Examine evidence that atmospheric properties can be studied to predict atmospheric conditions and weather hazards:

Grade 8

Examine web site data on salinity and use a graph to compare salinity with concentration of manatees.
Examine sea grass data to determine its relationship to manatee population.
Study the issues concerning Florida manatees and compare human impact on water quality and manatees between Florida and Belize.
Project the human impact on the Belize environment as the country becomes more popular with tourists and predict the effect on manatee habitats.
Using the student section, develop and post a well-reasoned plan to reduce future human impact on the coastal waters of Belize and conserve manatee habitats.

Science Curriculum Objectives

1.02 Analyze hydrospheric data over time to predict the health of a water system:
1.03 Evaluate evidence that Earth's oceans are a reservoir of nutrients, minerals, dissolved gases, and life forms.
1.04 Assess human impact on water quality.
2.02 Conclude that some ecosystem resources are finite.
2.03 Explain how changes in habitat may affect organisms

Language Arts Curriculum Objectives

2.01 Analyze and evaluate informational materials that are read, heard, and/or viewed by:

-summarizing information.
-determining the importance of information.
-making connections to related topics/information.
-monitoring comprehension.
-drawing inferences.
-generating questions.
-extending ideas.
3.02 Refine the use of the problem-solution process by:

-evaluating problems and solutions within various texts and situations.
-utilizing the problem-solution process within various contexts/situations.
-constructing essays/presentations that respond to a given problem by proposing a solution that includes relevant details.

3.03 Create arguments that persuade by:

-engaging the audience by establishing a context, creating a persona, and otherwise developing interest.
-developing a controlling idea that makes a clear and knowledgeable judgment.
-arranging details, reasons, and examples effectively and persuasively.
-anticipating and addressing reader/listener concerns and counter-arguments.

Grades 9-12

Earth and Environmental Science

Investigate the population growth and economy of Belize and make predictions for the future.
Compare the issues surrounding Florida manatees with those of Belize.
Compare/contrast the decisions concerning human activity and environmental impact between Florida and Belize.
Examine the data presented by the researchers to assess relationship between manatees and sea grass beds.
Design a conservation plan for the government of Belize that takes into account the fragility of the aquatic environment and the needs of humans.

Science Curriculum Objectives

7.02 Analyze the interdependence of Earth's natural resources and systems, including land, air, and water, with the need to support human activity and reduce environmental impacts.
7.03 Assess how society weighs the choices of economic progress, population growth and environmental stewardship and selects a balanced responsible course of action.