Miami's Dolphins

Module 3: Lesson 2

Through this lesson, students will learn some of the techniques used by FIU and NOAA scientists to identify individual dolphins' locations and behaviors by using maps of dolphin sightings within Biscayne Bay. Students will create home ranges and determine patterns for the population of Biscayne Bay dolphins. Students will also review dolphin fin identification techniques through a game created to help them "get to know" the Biscayne Bay dolphins.

Lesson Plan

Essential Question: How do you find the area of right triangles, other triangles, special quadrilaterals and polygons in the context of the home ranges of the dolphins in Biscayne Bay, Florida?

Objectives: By the end of this lesson, students will be able to:

  • Find the area of right triangles, other triangles, special quadrilaterals and polygons in the context of the home ranges of the dolphins in Biscayne Bay
  • Use a map to geographically represent current information about the dolphins in Biscayne Bay
  • Use the information on the dolphins in Biscayne Bay to discuss the characteristics of populations, such as number of individuals, age structure, density and pattern of distribution

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