Citizen Science Using Jellywatch
Students will use the Jellywatch.org app to download and analyze raw data of sightings recorded through this citizen science initiative. Students will use a modified data set from Jellywatch.org to investigate the geographic distribution of the jellyfish sightings recorded. Students will also use real-time data from Jellywatch.org to search for recent sightings of jellies in their own region, where applicable. Students will communicate their findings for a formative assessment using an Infographic platform. Multiple extensions allow the flexibility for students to collect their own data and to demonstrate the importance of programs that collect such data.
Please note that the Jellywatch.org website and app are currently unavailable. We hope that they will be back online soon!
Authors: Miriam Sutton, Robert Flores, Katie Lodes, Elizabeth Eubanks; EARTH 2014
Procedure
- See Teacher Overview of Citizen Scientist and Jellywatch.org (Word | PDF)
- See Citizen Science and Jellywatch.org (PowerPoint Presentation)
- See Teacher Jelly Tutorial – Key (PowerPoint Presentation)
Teacher Materials
- Lesson Plan (Word | PDF)
- Modifying JellyWatch Data Instruction Sheet (Word | PDF)
- Modified Jellyfish Data
- Example Infographic
- Citizen Science using Jellywatch.org video
- Ocean Sciences 2014 Keynote video: Elizabeth Kapu’uwailani Lindsey
- JellyWatch use Survey
Student Materials
- Student Reflection and Procedures sheet (Word | PDF)
- Infographic Rubric
- Adding a sighting to JellyWatch.org
Extensions
- Students will go out and collect data for Jellywatch.org.
- Students will evaluate the usefulness of the Jellywatch.org app and website. The Survey Monkey link can be found at https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/2WH53DL
Additional Resources
Infographic “making” websites
- Easy-To-Use Infographic Creator—www.piktochart.com
- Create and share visual ideas—www.easel.ly
- Canva—www.canva.com/create/infographics/
Essentials of Infographics
- Creating an infographic–the essentials—
http://www.wiliam.com.au/wiliam-blog/creating-an-infographic-the-essentials - Seven Essentials of Good Infographic Design— http://www.freetech4teachers.com/2013/12/seven-essentials-of-good-infographic.html#.VbEc3xNViko
Jellyfish Content Background
- Trends in Animal Evolution (Cnidarian Timeline)—http://www.bio.utexas.edu/faculty/sjasper/Bio301M/animals.html
- Encyclopaedia of Life (Cnidarians)—http://eol.org/pages/1745/overview
- Shape of Life: The Story of the Animal Kingdom—http://shapeoflife.org/jellyfish-0
Post-lesson Survey
This Survey Monkey is designed for students, teachers or the general public to submit after they have used the Jellywatch.org mobile app and/or webpage. https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/2WH53DL
