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Meeting National and Delaware Science Education Standards

The University of Delaware Sea Grant College Program offers a variety of publications and audiovisuals that teachers can use to instruct their students in disciplines ranging from marine and aquatic science to language arts. The following provides teachers with detailed information on how specific resources meet the National Science Education Standards and the Delaware Science Education Standards.

The Horseshoe Crab Model. This life-sized paper model, to cut out and assemble with tape, is a great activity for 4th graders and up. It includes background on the horseshoe crab and a crossword puzzle to test readers' knowledge. Copies are free to Delaware educators for classroom use. All others pay $1 per copy. Discounts are available for bulk orders. For more information, visit this online order form or contact the UD Marine Public Education Office at (302) 831-8083.

An essential part of meeting National and State Science Education Standards is to engage students in activity-based learning. The Horseshoe Crab Model, by providing a hands-on activity for students in grades 5–8, meets the "Science as Inquiry," "Life Science," and "Science and Technology" content standards set forth in the National Science Education Standards (National Academy of Sciences, 1996).

With a little imagination, teachers can adapt the natural history facts that provide background for the model to additional classroom activities that meet the national science standards relating to "Motions and Forces" (the horseshoe crab's telson movement and swimming behavior), "Earth's History" (the crab's appearance on Earth before the dinosaur), "Natural Hazards" (the dangers of overharvesting the crab), and the "History and Nature of Science" (the crab's role in Native American life).

For the State of Delaware, the Horseshoe Crab Model meets Parts A and B of the "Nature and Application of Science and Technology," and all or part of the "Life Processes," "Diversity and Continuity of Living Things," and "Ecology" science standards.

See below for more detail:

National Science Content Standards

  • Understandings about scientific inquiry
  • Motions and forces (crab's telson movement and swimming behavior)
  • Structure and function in living systems
    • Reproduction and heredity
    • Regulation and behavior
    • Populations and ecosystems
    • Diversity and adaptations of organisms
  • Earth's history (crab lived on Earth before the dinosaur)
  • Abilities of technological design
    • Understandings about science and technology
  • Natural hazards (overharvesting of the crab and need for protection)
    • Science and technology in society (medical uses for chitin and lystate)
  • History and nature of science (Native American life)

Delaware Content Standards (Level 4 5)

Science - 1A, 1B, 3A, 6A, 6B, 6C, 7A, 7B, 7C, 7D, 8A, 8B, 8C
Social Studies - Geography 1, 2, 3, 4 (horseshoe crab's range, nutrient management of soil, Native American life, regional flyway for shorebirds);
History - 4A (Delaware history)
Language Arts - 2 (crossword puzzle)

Delaware Content Standards (Level 6 8)

Science - 1A, 1B, 3B, 6A, 6B, 6C, 6D, 7B, 7C, 7D, 8A, 8B, 8C
Social Studies - Civics 1A (protection laws); Geography 1 (mental map)
Language Arts - 2 (crossword puzzle)

For more information, please contact Chris Petrone, University of Delaware Sea Grant Marine Advisory Service, at (302) 645-4308, or by email at petrone@udel.edu

Bottlenose Dolphin

Our Ambassador to the Sea. Highlights the evolution, behavior, anatomy and physiology, predators, and concerns facing this marine mammal. Includes information on using the bulletin in the classroom to meet Delaware and National Science Education Standards. 6 pp. Full-color. 2002. For more information, visit this online order form or contact the UD Marine Public Education Office at (302) 831-8083.

The Bottlenose Dolphin provides natural history facts that support the fundamental concepts and principles of the National Science Content Standards set forth in the National Science Education Standards. Teachers easily can adapt the information to activity-based learning opportunities such as role-playing and book reports.

The dolphin's swimming, diving, communication, and navigation skills provide a unique pathway to the “Physical Science” concepts of “motion and forces” and “ transfer of energy.” And the dolphin's predators and concerns incorporate most of the “Science in Personal and Social Perspectives” concepts. Information on the dolphin's evolution meets “Earth's History” concepts; the Reporting Strandings section introduces “Science as a Human Endeavor” through the career of an environmental protection officer.

For the Delaware State Standards, the Bottlenose Dolphin contains concepts and principles that meet “Nature and Application of Science and Technology,” “Energy and Its Effects,” “Life Processes,” “Diversity and Continuity of Living Things,” and “Ecology.” Other standards including Civics, Geography, and History also are addressed and provide an interdisciplinary approach to the life history of this overwhelmingly popular mammal.

The Delaware Geographic Alliance

The Delaware Geographic Alliance also provides many classroom materials and lessons that you can download free of charge.