Programme Title:
School Based
Sharks – inside and out.
Suitable for
Possible Contexts
Year
Adaptations, food chains, predators, conservation, sustainability, ocean
environments, body systems
3 - 10 Levels 3 - 5
Brief description of programme
We look at a real dead small shark and discuss it's adaptations, body design and structures. We discuss teeth,
attack behaviour, and look at the facts and the fiction about sharks. We dissect the shark looking at what
happens to food as it travels its alimentary tract. We look at it's reproductive, circulatory, respiratory and
nervous systems. We talk about the sharks place in the food chain and the human impact on sharks, and
indirectly on food chains. We have a 'snappy' shark quiz - where a wrong answer has consequences!
Curriculum Areas/Links
Nature of Science (NOS): U, I, PC
Living World (LW): LP, EV, level 5, EC.
Key Competancies
*Managing self
*P and C
*Thinking
Key Learning Intentions
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Investigate the sharks design and how their adaptations have made them successful in the marine
environment
Identify and explain external and internal features of a shark.
Investigate the sensory system of a shark and how it is used to find prey.
Participate in a shark dissection
Explore human attitudes towards sharks and their related conservation issues
Discuss life history characteristics that make sharks vulnerable to human impact
Additional objectives
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Why have sharks got a killer reputation? Is this justified?
Pre trip preparation not essential. What separates cartilagenous sharks from other bony fish?
Resources Available to support Programme
Dept of Conservation great white shark information sheet (www.doc.govt.nz)
Safety Action Plan
none
Programme costs
No Cost, a koha for travel is appreciated
Additional Notes/Information
The NZ Marine Studies Centre is part of the Marine Science Dept, University of Otago,
This Programme is supported by the Minisrty of Education’s LEOTC service