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Schenectady City
School District
108 Education Drive
Schenectady, NY 12303
518.370.8100 |
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Where
the River Meets the Sea:
Exploring Life in
the Chesapeake Bay
with Smithsonian Scientists |
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How
To Set Up a Salt Water Aquarium
Grade: 5th Subject:
Science|Technology Class: CROW Team
PURPOSE:
To provide a guide for students who are planning on setting
up salt water aquarium.
To
provide a guide for the care of blue crabs.
To
provide a guide for the safe handling of blue crabs.
OBJECTIVE:
Students
will learn the steps necessary to set up a salt water
aquarium.
Students
will participate in the process of setting up a classroom
salt water aquarium that will house blue crabs.
MATERIALS:
1. Aquarium/tank with top and stand
2. Air pump
3. Filters
4. Heater with thermostat
5. Gravel, Rocks, Plants and Decorations
6. Long handle prongs and rubber safety gloves
7. Lighting hood and bulbs
8. Cleaning supplies and siphon
9. Testing kit and additives
10. Blue Crabs
PROCEDURES
1. Visit the aquarium store and discuss your needs
with the salesperson. Know your budget.
2.
Wash out the new aquarium then set it on the stand.
Make sure it will hold the filled aquarium's weight.
3.
Wash the new gravel, rocks, and decorations with water
before adding to the tank in order to get rid of dust that
can cloud the water.
4.
Install the filters and air pump. Be sure to follow
the manufacturer's directions.
5.
Install the heater with thermostat. Again, be sure to
follow the manufacturer's directions.
6.
Landscape your aquarium. Move things around until you
are satisfied that it will be an interesting, comfortable
and safe place for you blue crabs to live.
7.
Add water carefully into a small plastic container at the
bottom of the tank so that you do not disturb your
landscaping arrangement.
8.
Add a neutralizer to get rid of any chlorine, which could be
poisonous to the crabs. Add salt to water.
Before adding blue crabs, conduct the pH test for acidity
and the salinity test for the correct salt content.
9.
Introduce the blue crabs to their new home. Have small
pieces of raw boneless chicken on hand for feeding every
other day. *Use long handled prongs to place chicken
piece directly in front of blue crab. If it is hungry,
it will take it in its claw. Remove any leftover
chicken at the end of the day.
ASSESSMENTS:
1. Require a daily journal/record of activities
2.
Set up a data base for general observations, feeding, and
recording pH and salinity.
3.
Observe students care for the blue crabs daily.
EXTENSIONS:
1. Videoconferencing with a Smithsonian
Scientist, Dottie Klugel. Dottie serves as SERC's
Distance Learning Coordinator by coordinating video
conferences that are related tot eh Chesapeake Bay
ecosystem. You can contact Dottie at 301.261.3204 or
by email at kklugel@serc.si.edu
READINGS:
My Pet Fish by Lori Coleman
How to book on setting up a fresh or salt water aquarium.
LINKS:
CROW Team's Homepage
http://www.mohonasen.org/grade5/crows/crow.htm
Pinewood
Intermediate School's 5th grade homepage created and
maintained by Mrs. Coelho, Mrs. Rushby, Mrs. Osinski, Mrs.
Wagshall (The CROW team)
STANDARDS:
1. Science
Standard4 Science
Students will understand and apply scientific concepts,
principles, and theories pertaining to the physical setting
and living environment and recognize the historical
development of ideas in science.
2.
Technology
Standard5 Technology
Students will apply technological knowledge and skills to
design, construct, use and evaluate products and systems to
satisfy human and environmental needs.
3.
Interdisciplinary Problem-Solving
Standard7 Interdisciplinary Problem-Solving
Students will apply the knowledge and thinking skills of
mathematics, science, and technology to address real-life
problems and make informed decisions.
CREDITS:
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