Lesson Plan Description

Students learn about Petersen-Lincoln estimator formula

Students learn about the Petersen-Lincoln estimator formula. Students will be engaged in a hands-on activity and perform an experiment to answer a comparative question regarding the fish population of two different bodies of water. Finally, the project will link IBL with the application of the formula by biologists and ecologists and the factors they must take into account when implementing it. More questions will emerge to continue scientific investigations and further the learning process.

high-angle-view-fish-swimming-lake

Grade Level

6-8

Time Requirement

One class period/ around 45 minutes

Download lesson plan

.pdf

Practical Application

This experiment allows students to understand a simple, yet effective, sampling technique that is used in the fields of ecology and biology for estimating populations. Each student will have practice with the scientific process, including interpreting and documenting data.

Objectives

  1. Incorporate the process of inquiry-based learning into a traditional direct instruction classroom setting.
  2. Students will be able to identify if a population is open or closed.
  3. Students will be able to recognize when the Petersen-Lincoln estimator is applicable and when it is not.
  4. Work together in groups to use the Petersen-Lincoln formula to estimate a closed population.
  5. Students will be able to collect, tabulate and present scientific data.
  6. Students will be able to uncover additional questions.
  7. Students will be able to think critically about the data found and consider why data may have varied from the actual number.

Educational Standards

  • Scientific Inquiry, Practices and Applications
    All students must use these scientific processes with appropriate laboratory safety techniques to construct their knowledge and understanding in all science content areas.
  • During the years of grades 5 through 8, all students must have developed the ability to: Identify questions that can be answered through scientific investigations; Design and conduct a scientific investigation; Use appropriate mathematics, tools and techniques to gather data and information; Analyze and interpret data; Develop descriptions, models, explanations and predictions; Think critically and logically to connect evidence and explanations; Recognize and analyze alternative explanations and predictions; and Communicate scientific procedures and explanations.

Math Standards

CCSS.MATH.CONTENT.6.SP.B.5

CCSS.MATH.CONTENT.6.EE.A.2

CCSS.MATH.CONTENT.6.EE.C.9

CCSS.MATH.CONTENT.7.EE.B.4

CCSS.MATH.CONTENT.7.SP.A.2

CCSS.MATH.CONTENT.HSS.MD.B.7

Science Standards

7.LS.2: In any particular biome, the number, growth and survival of organisms and populations depend on biotic and abiotic factors.

ENV.ER.3: Water and water pollution