Earthwatch - Wild Dolphin Societies Teachers in the Field

“The Wild Dolphin Societies” study provides a wonderful way for teachers to demonstrate the National Science Standards. Standard A states that  “Teachers of science should plan an inquiry based science program. Teachers should encourage and model skills of scientific inquiry as well as curiosity, and openness to new ideas and data.....”What better way for teachers to “model inquiry” than to be out on a boat with a real marine biologist ,observing, collecting data, and going about the daily “work” of a scientist.

“Certain attitudes such as wonder,curiosity, and respect toward nature are vital parts of the science learning community”(National Science Standards)  We hope to convey to our students that the research being conducted by Dr. Wells and Sue Hofmann is not the amassing of a dry collection of data but a practical plan for preserving the beauty of the communities of dolphins which share our human habitat.

Standard 5 of the N ational Geography Standards focuses on the environment and society - how human actions modify the physical environment and the changes that occur in the meaning, use, distribution,and importance of resources. The development of the Sarasota Bay area as well as the increase in boat traffic are human actions which will affect the wild dolphins who make these waters their home.  By being part of this 30 plus year study we hope to help scientists  measure the impact of human interaction and provide suggestions for the peaceful co-existence of man and mammal.

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