Curriculum Notebook - Grades 4-8
Interpretive Stops  1.  Along Aptos Creek  2.  Fern Grotto  3.  Twisted Grove  4.  Geologic Foundation  5.  Redwoods and Associates  6.  Magnificent Old Growth  7.  Fairy Ring in the Making  8.  Granary, Stump, and Burl  9.  The Pourroy Garden 10. The Little Slide 11. Smiley Face Stump 12. Big "Round" 13. Goosepen Tree 14. The "Advocate Tree" 15. The Ravine 16. Pourroy's Picnic Area Additional Information  Animals of Marcel's Forest		Homing Instincts of Anadromous Fish Grades 4-8 Investigation and Experimentation Students will: i. Write a report of an investigation that includes conducting tests, collecting data or examining evidence, and drawing conclusions.   Objectives 1. Identify conditions of imprinting on native streams. 2. List barriers to imprinting. 3. Demonstrate knowledge of the process which salmon species undertake in reaching their native stream.   Concept Background Steelhead swim in Aptos Creek. The juvenile fish seen from the Advocates' Seasonal Bridge during the late spring will return only to Aptos Creek to spawn after spending 1-2 years in the ocean. Steelhead find their way back to their natal stream through their ability to smell. (Optimal water temperature for steelhead and coho salmon during summer and fall months is 51 to 59 degrees Fahrenheit). 1. Stimuli from the environment consist of forms of matter (molecules in the case of touch, smell, taste and hearing) and energy (light radiation in the case of sight). 2. Animals use more than sight to find their way through the environment.   Materials At least 50, 3x5 cards, string, a variety of "scents" (minimum of six), butcher/chart paper.   Instructions After discussing salmon spawning practices, students will experience how salmon use smell to locate their native stream. Prior to the activity prepare approximately six, 3x5 cards with scents on them (i.e., cinnamon, peppermint, vanilla). On the back of these cards write the name of various salmon species. Use steelhead (Oncorhynchus mykiss) and silver salmon (Oncorhynchus kisutch) since these two fish are native to Aptos Creek. Place the cards in various locations of your teaching area (use Pourroy's Picnic Area, Stop 16) and label the creeks/rivers where salmon are known to spawn. Creeks in the Santa Cruz area where these two fish are known to spawn are Aptos Creek, Waddell Creek, Scott's Creek, San Lorenzo River, Gazos Creek, and Carmel River (among others). Prepare enough additional cards with the same six scents for each student involved with the activity. The students can punch a hole through the cards and add string in order to wear the cards around their necks. When students have their cards, ask them to locate their native stream by matching the scent on their card to the scent representing one of the streams/rivers. Once students have reached their native streams, have them discuss in small groups the barriers or problems they might have encountered in arriving at their destination. Students might include problems such as pollution, mining, temperature of water, or interference of other smells. Have students record their thoughts on butcher paper and be ready to share with the other groups. Modified from AskERIC Lesson Plan #AELP-ANM0050, Author: Connie Eastburn, Mapleton, Oregon	Reminders Glossary Curriculum Notebook Materials Drawer California Science Education Website   "Steelhead Fry" Swimming in Aptos Creek Just Below Advocates' Seasonal Bridge

 

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