A WebQuest Exploring the Humanity of Zoos asks students to think about several different aspects of zoos. Students make decisions about whether zoos are humane to animals and whether keeping animals in captivity for human entertainment is a good thing to do. Students will also look at different features of zoos and choose which features they think are the best suited to animal species. A Suite of Interactive Learning Activities in Ecology includes the WebQuest Conflict Yellowstone Wolves . Students are challenged to develop a solution to the heated debate on reintroducing wolves into Yellowstone National Park.
Students analyze the problem, and draw their own conclusions.
Students are assessed on how well they support their conclusions and communicate and collaborate with peers. Their final task is to write a newspaper editorial to the people involved. The site also encourages students to learn about public policy and shows how ordinary citizens can become part of the decision-making process for issues that are important to them. WebQuest topics include basketball statistics, financial planning for a trip, and U.S. population statistics. Students are expected to use problem solving, reasoning, communication, connections, and representation process skills as they develop an understanding of data collection and analysis.