Teachers: Bailey Wallace, Jenny Merrill & Jeff Govoni
Grade & Subjects: Fifth Grade
School: High Tech Elementary
In the Tidepool Protectors project, students learned the science behind how tide pools are created and how the environment changes with low and high tides. Through fieldwork and research, our first grade scientists made observations of the animals in the rocky intertidal zone and the various adaptations that these animals have developed to survive the changing tides. Students learned the dangers to tide pools and brainstormed ways to protect them. Students then created an 18 month calendar that lists ideal times to go tidepooling each month, along with their scientific artwork and facts to educate others about the beauty and importance of protecting our tidepools.
Teacher Reflection
We’ve done versions of this project three times, and every year I learn something new about tidepool animals! I also appreciate that this project ties in well with NGSS-aligned lessons about the moon and patterns in the sun, moon, and stars. This project is engaging for students and families, and I’ve been using our calendars to plan tidepool visits with my own family.
—Claire Deken
Student Reflections
Something I learned in this project is that limpets are stuck to a rock and that’s how they survive. My favorite part of the project was Exhibition because I felt excited to talk to a lot of people.
—Beckham
Before the project, I thought beaches were just sand. My favorite part of the project was teaching people about tidepool animals at Exhibition because it made me feel happy.
—Mateo
In this project, I learned that tidepools are controlled by the moon and it has high tides and low tides. I thought it was just the beach before.
—Gracen
Teachers: Bailey Wallace, Jenny Merrill & Jeff Govoni
Grade & Subjects: Fifth Grade
School: High Tech Elementary
In the Tidepool Protectors project, students learned the science behind how tide pools are created and how the environment changes with low and high tides. Through fieldwork and research, our first grade scientists made observations of the animals in the rocky intertidal zone and the various adaptations that these animals have developed to survive the changing tides. Students learned the dangers to tide pools and brainstormed ways to protect them. Students then created an 18 month calendar that lists ideal times to go tidepooling each month, along with their scientific artwork and facts to educate others about the beauty and importance of protecting our tidepools.
Teacher Reflection
We’ve done versions of this project three times, and every year I learn something new about tidepool animals! I also appreciate that this project ties in well with NGSS-aligned lessons about the moon and patterns in the sun, moon, and stars. This project is engaging for students and families, and I’ve been using our calendars to plan tidepool visits with my own family.
—Claire Deken
Student Reflections
Something I learned in this project is that limpets are stuck to a rock and that’s how they survive. My favorite part of the project was Exhibition because I felt excited to talk to a lot of people.
—Beckham
Before the project, I thought beaches were just sand. My favorite part of the project was teaching people about tidepool animals at Exhibition because it made me feel happy.
—Mateo
In this project, I learned that tidepools are controlled by the moon and it has high tides and low tides. I thought it was just the beach before.
—Gracen
