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"PHOTOS FROM
PRIOR FIELD DAYS"
2008 Horseshoe Crab Field Days
·
May 19 --
Chesapeake Bay Environmental Center
·
May 21 –
Sandy Point State Park
·
May 28 --
Assateague State Park
Sessions will
typically include:
-
Build-A-Shorebird
Students conduct an investigation of the physical adaptations of shorebirds
to their natural environment. Using a variety of materials representing
avian adaptations, the students will transform some of their fellow students
into shorebirds.
-
Horseshoe Crab
Anatomy & Life History
DNR educators use live adult Horseshoe Crabs to review their anatomy and
interesting life history with the students.
-
Horseshoe Crab Blood
and its Biomedical Uses
Students learn about how the medical industry uses the blood of horseshoe
crabs. A biomedical scientist discusses the discovery of important medical
products derived from horseshoe crab blood. Also, students examine horseshoe
crab blood and the medical products produced from it.
-
Simulated Horseshoe
Crab Beach Survey
Each year hundreds of scientists and volunteers survey spawning horseshoe
crabs. Students will perform a simulated survey on the beach estimating the
current spawning population and how it changes over time.
-
Horseshoe Crab
Fishery Management
DNR Biologists lead a discussion on the management of horseshoe crabs in the
mid-Atlantic. Students will view techniques DNR uses to tag Horseshoe Crabs
and learn about the influence people have on horseshoe crab habitat. At the
end of the activity the students will release 1-2 tagged Horseshoe Crabs
into the water.
-
Horseshoe Crab
Timeline
Students will learn about the history of horseshoe crabs using at timeline
activity on the beach. The activity focuses on recent history involving the
interaction between horseshoe crabs and people.
-
Beach Ecology
Students look at the diversity of aquatic organisms at the near shore
environment. Using a beach seine, DNR or park staff collect marine
organisms, identify them and discuss their role in the ecology of the
near-shore environment.
In the end, students
will come away with a better understanding of horseshoe crabs and the important
issues surrounding them. And they will have a sense of accomplishment in helping
to maintain a healthy horseshoe crab population in Maryland. |
