The Mystery Surrounding Whale Sharks

This student-directed activity is designed to have students solve a mystery about whale sharks. During the course of this mystery students will learn about El Nino, upwelling, and ocean foo... See More

This student-directed activity is designed to have students solve a mystery about whale sharks. During the course of this mystery students will learn about El Nino, upwelling, and ocean food chains. This article provides the mystery with appropriate clues, a worksheet for student research and analysis of information, and a teacher answer sheet with follow up questions. Mysteries are always a good way to motivate self-learning. This middle school activity can be used to demonstrates cause and effect events in nature.

Why are the sharks dying?

What student isn’t attracted to sharks? This “mystery” activity will build collaborative skills and research skills by requiring students to examine a variety of clues to determine why whale... See More

What student isn’t attracted to sharks? This “mystery” activity will build collaborative skills and research skills by requiring students to examine a variety of clues to determine why whale sharks are dying. Average and high ability students will enjoy the mystery, but lower-ability students will need more guidance and may have some trouble reading and researching.