Who's That Phytoplankton?: a lesson plan for high school students
- Savannah Mapes
- 7 days ago
- 1 min read
Citation: Mapes, Savannah, "Who's That Phytoplankton?" (2023). Lesson Plans. 4.
This lesson plan was created through the Virginia Scientists and Educators Alliance (VA SEA), a program that connects graduate student researchers with teachers to bring real-world science into classrooms. My lesson, designed for high school students, guides learners through the process of "diagnosing" a harmful algal bloom, just like a scientist would. Using the playful question “Who’s that phytoplankton?” (a nod to the classic Who’s That Pokémon?), students examine clues, analyze data, and practice critical thinking to identify which phytoplankton species is causing the bloom. Along the way, they learn about the ecological impacts of harmful algal blooms and the importance of scientific investigation in protecting our waters.
You can find the lesson plan here: https://scholarworks.wm.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1010&context=vasea_lessonplans
Accompanying PowerPoint:
Youtube video summary of the lesson plan: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8FCC9h-yz6c
Supplemental material:
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