Blue Mud Shrimp Mystery Update

This lesson plan is an extension of the Blue Mud Shrimp Mystery adding information and activities on the Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) threatening the white tail deer and elk population in Pennsylvania and other places.  It will align with the Pennsylvania Academic Standards, NGSS, and the PA Game Commission environmental education public outreach program.  It will be an extension of the Blue Mud Shrimp Mystery: Zombie Shrimp but will expand the aquatic version of the lesson plan to include terrestrial animals.

Students will be introduced to the Blue Mud Shrimp lesson and will then explore the CWD as it relates to the Pennsylvania deer and elk herd.  Students will be exposed to the background of the disease, its risk of causing extinction of the whitetail deer and elk in Pennsylvania, and will be encouraged to conduct independent research on various aspects of the CWD program and will suggest possible actions to correct or reduce the risk of transmission.

Author: Jim Johnson; EARTH 2018

Lesson Resources

• Lesson Plan
• Assignment