LLOL Summer 2002

LifeLines OnLine
2002 Summer Faculty Workshop

The Case	Analysis	Learning Goals	Investigations	Resources
Data	Student Products	Assessment	Implementation	Credits

The Case:

Holy Starbucks Batman!

The DEQ reports that the Willamette River contains

measurable levels of caffeine. Water samples were taken from Harrisburg, downstream from the Eugene water treatment plant and upstream from the city of Corvallis water intake facility. Data indicates the caffeine levels are increasing from year to year.

Local fishing groups are concerned about the potential impact upon food species for migrating salmon fry. "The caffeine may make them get to the sea faster, but if it kills their food sources then they are going to be awful hungry when they get there" stated an anonymous official.

Case Author: Stacey Kiser
Lane Community College
kisers@lanecc.edu

Case Analysis

How does caffeine get into rivers?

What do salmon fry eat?

What types of salmon fry food species live in this part of the Willamette River?

What are the effects of caffeine on the food species? On the fry?

Should we do anything about caffeine in our river?

Have students fill out a table like the one below:

What do you know?	What do you need to know?

Learning Goals

Goal(s): Students will be able to

Identify field-collected invertebrates (at least to phylum).
Describe physiological differences and similarities across the invertebrate phyla in selected organism system/systems.
Summarize and report potential impacts of a new environmental pollutant (caffeine) to an authority.

Investigations and Activities

Collect and identify potential salmon fry food species in the Willamette River.

Potential link to chemistry: Measure caffeine levels in Willamette River from water samples (or in Lane CC sewage lagoons).

Study effects of caffeine on California Blackworm (Lumbriculus variegatus) and water flea (Daphnia spp.)

Write preliminary report on the affects of caffeine on salmon fry food species to local city regulatory board.

Resources

Web sites:

1995 Report on Mississippi River caffeine levels: http://water.usgs.gov/pubs/circ1133/organic.html
General report on caffeine (unknown effects) http://twri.tamu.edu/watertalk/archive/2000-Apr/Apr-1.2.html
Potential NPR audiofile: http://geosun1.sjsu.edu/~dreed/105/broad_pollution.html
Industry source: http://www.coffeescience.org/

Activities:

Lumbriculus variegatus information and potential labs: http://www.zool.iastate.edu/~c_drewes/Lvgen4.htm http://www.microscopy-uk.org.uk/mag/artmar02/fleanatomy.html#

Daphnia information page: http://www.microscopy-uk.org.uk/mag/artmar02/fleanatomy.html#

maps, etc.

Student Products

Field notebook from collection field trip, including identification of organisms.

Laboratory report on effects of caffeine on invertebrates.

Report to regulatory board with adequate research support.

Assessment and Evaluation Plan

30 % Field notebook and identification of sample organisms.

30 % Laboratory report on effects of caffeine on invertebrates.

40% Report to authorities.

Implementation

Identify the specifics for using the cases in your classes.

Course name:	General Zoology - Invertebrates
Likely sequence in syllabus:	Capstone activity to quarter of invertebrate diversity and comparative physiology.
Time during term:	End of the term.
Duration:	1.5 weeks (9 classroom hours).
Setting:	Field and lab.
Students in course:	Freshmen/Sophomore Majors.
Collaborative elements:	Working in groups, sharing resources, group meetings outside of class, group report writing.

Credits

Special thanks to Peter Woodruff for putting me on to the California blackworm.

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