Dr. Lee Kerkhof presented his research at the March 29, 2012 Ocean Lecture & Educators’ Night. Dr. Kerkhof discussed why there is such large diversity in the microbial world, how the diversity changes over space and time, and how so many different species of microbes can live together in the ocean. His research works to understand the mechanisms that drive diversity in the microbial communities and the biogeochemical processes associated with this diversity. Following the lecture, we shared marine microbes, ecology, and diversity related lesson plans and discussed how to bring these topics into your classrooms/clubs.
Below we have included a summary of Dr. Kerkhof, Background Materials, the evening’s broadcast, .pdf of the science presentation, and provided adapted Lesson Plans to teach on the topics of Marine Microbial Ecology.
Enjoy! The MARE Team
Dr. Lee Kerkhof
Dr. Lee Kerkhof-
Dr. Lee Kerkhof is a Professor in and the Department Chair of the Department of Marine and Coastal Sciences at Rutgers University. The Kerkhof lab studies the active microbial players in a variety of complex environments, and to understand the mechanisms driving microbial diversity and biogeochemical processes.
Background Materials-
We have compiled the following materials as optional background information if you wish to read about the topics that were covered during the event and included in the adapted lesson plans below.
What are marine microbes? Here is a brief summary of diversity of marine microbes. What is the importance of marine microbes anyway? Read a summary about bacteria (Bacteria: the Good, the Bad, and the Ugly!) The American Society of Microbiology has put together a list of Significant Events of the Last 125 Years in Microbiology. The American Museum of Natural History has a great kid friendly website all about Microbes, called Infection, Detection, and Protection. The American Society of Microbiology’s MicrobeWorld website “About Microbology” page includes information like:Microbial Information:
What is the microbial loop and how does it connect with marine food webs? The Center for Microbial Ecology at Michigan State University developed an interactive website called The Microbe Zoo that walks participants through different environments in our world where you can kind microbes and information about the ecology of microbes in each environment. The Australian Government Division of the Environment & Heritage – Australian Antarctic Division has a good overview description of Marine Microbial Ecology, including information about microbial components, microbial processes, and how microbes are studied. The first two sections, What is Molecular Ecology? and The Emergence of Molecular Ecology of the Chapter 1: Molecular Genetics in Ecology, in Molecular Ecology 2nd Ed by JR Freeland, H Kirk, and SD Peterson provide a good overview description of what Molecular Ecology is and how it developed over time.Molecular Ecology Information:
Science Presentation & Evening Program-
If you are interested in watching the broadcast of the event, click here: https://www.ustream.tv/recorded/21451635
If you are interested in downloading the presentation slides, click here: Dr. Kerkhof’s Presentation
Lesson Plans-
We have compiled additions and adaptations to previous lesson plans to incorporate the marine microbial ecology information that was presented during Dr. Kerkhof’s talk into your classroom.
Let’s Get Small: Students use and draw models to understand the comarative sizes of microbial life. (Elementary, Middle, and High School) 5.4.3.E.1 – Individuals of the same species may differ in their characteristics, and sometimes these differences give individuals an advantage in surviving and reproducing in different environments. The Great Plankton Race: Students are actively engaged in a fun and experimental activity that informs them about the types of plankton and microbes as well as how they adapt to survive in the ocean. (Elementary & Middle School) 5.4.3.E.1 – Individuals of the same species may differ in their characteristics, and sometimes these differences give individuals an advantage in surviving and reproducing in different environments.Microbial Life History Lesson Plans:
5.3.8.E.1 – Individual organisms with certain traits are more likely than others to survive and have offspring in particular environments.
5.3.12.C.1 – Biological communities in ecosystems are based on stable interrelationships and interdependence of organisms.
5.3.8.E.1 – Individual organisms with certain traits are more likely than others to survive and have offspring in particular environments.
The Microbial Discovery Box: Students examine the impact of microorganisms in our daily lives. (Elementary, Middle, & High School) 5.1.4.D.2 – In order to determine which arguments and explanations are most persuasive, communities of learners work collaboratively to pose, refine, and evaluate Biosphere in a Bottle: Students investigate microbes that exist in a column of mud and the role of light on their survival. (Elementary & Middle School) 5.3.2.B.1 – A source of energy is needed for all organisms to stay alive and grow. Both plants and animals need to take in water, and animals need to take in food. Plants need Microbial Diversity Lesson Plans:
questions, investigations, models, and theories (e.g., scientific argumentation and representation).
5.1.8.D.1 – Science involves practicing productive social interactions with peers, such as partner talk, whole-group discussions, and small-group work.
5.1.12.D.1 – Science involves practicing productive social interactions with peers, such as partner talk, whole-group discussions, and small-group work.
light.
5.3.4.B.1 – Almost all energy (food) and matter can be traced to the Sun.
5.3.6.B.2 – All animals, including humans, are consumers that meet their energy needs by eating other organisms or their products.
5.3.8.B.1 – Food is broken down to provide energy for the work that cells do, and is a source of the molecular building blocks from which needed materials are assembled.
Bacteria & Protists Oh My!: Students role-play species of microbes with different nutrient needs and how predators select them. (Elementary, Middle & High School) 5.3.2.B.1 – A source of energy is needed for all organisms to stay alive and grow. Both plants and animals need to take in water, and animals need to take in food. Plants need The Role of Microorganisms in the Ecosystem: Students use a controlled experiment to demonstrate different rates of decomposition for a variety of man-made and natural materials. (Elementary, Middle & High School) 5.3.2.A.1 – Living organisms: exchange nutrients and water with the environment, reproduce, grow and develop in a predictable manner. Now You See It, Now You Don’t: Students use a controlled experiment to investigate the process by which commercial packing peanuts biodegrade. (Elementary & Middle School) 5.3.2.A.1 – Living organisms: exchange nutrients and water with the environment, reproduce, grow and develop in a predictable manner.Microbial Ecology Lesson Plans:
light.
5.3.6.C.2 – The number of organisms and populations an ecosystem can support depends on the biotic resources available and on abiotic factors, such as quantities of light
and water, range of temperatures, and soil composition.
5.3.8.B.2 – All animals, including humans, are consumers that meet their energy needs by eating other organisms or their products.
5.3.12.B.1 – As matter cycles and energy flows through different levels of organization within living systems (cells, organs, organisms, communities), and between living systems and the physical environment, chemical elements are recombined into different products.
5.3.4.A.1 – Living organisms: interact with and cause changes in their environment, exchange materials with the environment, reproduce, grow and develop in a predictable
manner.
5.3.6.C.2 – The number of organisms and populations an ecosystem can support depends on the biotic resources available and on abiotic factors, such as quantities of light and water, range of temperatures, and soil composition.
5.3.12.B.1 – As matter cycles and energy flows through different levels of organization within living systems (cells, organs, organisms, communities), and between living systems and the physical environment, chemical elements are recombined into different products.
5.3.4.A.1 – Living organisms: interact with and cause changes in their environment, exchange materials with the environment, reproduce, grow and develop in a predictable
manner.
5.3.6.C.2 – The number of organisms and populations an ecosystem can support depends on the biotic resources available and on abiotic factors, such as quantities of light and water, range of temperatures, and soil composition.
Strawberry DNA Extraction: Students extract DNA from strawberries to learn about the methods used in microbial biology. (Middle & High School) 5.1.8.D.3 – Instruments of measurement can be used to safely gather accurate information for making scientific comparisons of objects and events. Quantifying Marine Microbes: A Simulation to Introduce Random Sampling: Students learn about the abundance and diversity of marine microbes and then randomly sample simulated “marine microbes” to understand how scientists quantify the abundance of these organisms. (Middle & High School) 5.1.8.C.1 – Scientific models and understandings of fundamental concepts and principles are refined as new evidence is considered.Microbial Techniques Lesson Plans:
5.1.12.D.3 – Ensure that instruments and specimens are properly cared for and that animals, when used, are treated humanely, responsibly, and ethically.
5.1.12.C.2 – Data and refined models are used to revise predictions and explanations.