Ocean Animals on the Move: Using Technology to Track Marine Life and Understand the Effects of Environmental Change

The 2010 conclusion of the Census of Marine Life enhanced our understanding of the status of marine biodiversity and made clear the need for a systematic approach to observing and monitoring biodiversity across multiple scales. In response, several federal agencies teamed up with the National Oceanographic Partnership Program (NOPP) to develop an operational US Marine Biodiversity Observation Network (MBON). As an integral tool in understanding the distribution of marine species over space and time, animal telemetry is a vital component of MBON. Presented here is a high-level overview of three lessons developed by MBON team members focused on understanding the purpose and process of animal tracking and the data stewardship practices needed to apply the information to real-world challenges. The science of animal telemetry and the tools and technologies used to track animal movement in the context of an application using authentic bull shark research are explored. After testing and refining the lessons that provide examples of how research is taken from concept to implementation and analysis to inform a variety of practical applications with input from Grade 5–12 students and educators from ten schools in Pinellas County, Florida, it was deemed they are most suitable and adaptable for Grades 8–12. Step-by-step lessons with background information, all needed graphs and data tables, student data sheets, alignment to standards, assessment guidance and links to additional resources can be found at https://gcoos.org/resources/for-educators/.