Senior Project Advisor

Georgianne Connell

Document Type

Project

Publication Date

Spring 2023

Keywords

environmental education, website, ecology, ecosystem, keystone species, teaching resource, beaver, wetland, middle school, elementary school, illustration, interactive, wildlife management

Abstract

This project is an educational resource (in the form of a website) for elementary and middle school students to explore the ecological concept of keystone species. This site has been designed to provide young students with an accessible, engaging introduction to ecology. The website was created with the design platform Wix. This site is going to be a project in continued development, with entries covering content on several keystone species. The first species covered on the site is the North American beaver. Traditionally-rendered illustrations accompany various pages of content. These pages review the biology and behavior of this animal, its role in wetland community ecology, and its ability to cause transformation of landscapes and ecosystems. Additional pages cover wildlife management strategies for coexisting with these animals and an interview with environmental journalist Ben Goldfarb. Additional resources are available, with a vocabulary glossary integrated throughout the site and a planned addition of downloadable student worksheets.

Website URL: https://keystonespeciesexp.wixsite.com/my-site

Department

Biology

Subjects - Topical (LCSH)

Environmental education; Ecology; Keystone species; American beaver; Wildlife management

Type

Text

Rights

Copying of this document in whole or in part is allowable only for scholarly purposes. It is understood, however, that any copying or publication of this document for commercial purposes, or for financial gain, shall not be allowed without the author’s written permission.

Language

English

Format

application/pdf

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