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The American Biology Teacher

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  • Inquiry & Investigation
Spiders by Night: An Outdoor Investigation Integrating Next Generation Science Standards
Kathryn S. Craven, Alex Collier, Jay Y. S. Hodgson
The American Biology Teacher, Vol. 81 No. 8, October 2019; (pp. 561-567) DOI: 10.1525/abt.2019.81.8.561
Kathryn S. Craven
KATHRYN S. CRAVEN is a Professor in the Department of Biology Georgia Southern University–Armstrong Campus, Savannah, GA 31419; e-mail: kcraven@georgiasouthern.edu.
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Alex Collier
ALEX COLLIER is a Professor in the Department of Biology Georgia Southern University–Armstrong Campus, Savannah, GA 31419; e-mail: acollier@georgiasouthern.edu.
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Jay Y. S. Hodgson
JAY Y. S. HODGSON is an Associate Professor in the Department of Biology Georgia Southern University–Armstrong Campus, Savannah, GA 31419; e-mail: jhodgson@georgiasouthern.edu
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Abstract

Field investigations represent an excellent opportunity to integrate the Next Generation Science Standards to complement and enhance both classroom and laboratory instruction. This inquiry-based exercise is designed to introduce students to the basic anatomy, ecology, and natural history of a common backyard denizen, the wolf spider (Lycosidae). Students are charged with developing one or more testable hypotheses regarding wolf spiders in their own backyards. Wolf spiders are an ideal subject for field investigation because their secondary eyes possess a highly reflective layer called the tapetum lucidum. At night, this layer produces an unmistakable “eyeshine” when viewed with the beam of a flashlight. Playing the role of students, we tested the hypothesis that wolf spiders should occur at higher density in an undeveloped field than in a typical backyard. To test this, we utilized random quadrat sampling in both habitats using flashlights to detect nocturnal eyeshine. Students obtaining similar results would likely have concluded that wolf spiders were more abundant in natural habitats.

  • Field study
  • nighttime survey
  • tapetum lucidum
  • quadrat sampling
  • wolf spiders
  • NGSS
  • © 2019 National Association of Biology Teachers. All rights reserved. Please direct all requests for permission to photocopy or reproduce article content through the University of California Press's Reprints and Permissions web page, www.ucpress.edu/journals.php?p=reprints.
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Vol. 81 No. 8, October 2019

The American Biology Teacher: 81 (8)
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Spiders by Night: An Outdoor Investigation Integrating Next Generation Science Standards
Kathryn S. Craven, Alex Collier, Jay Y. S. Hodgson
The American Biology Teacher, Vol. 81 No. 8, October 2019; (pp. 561-567) DOI: 10.1525/abt.2019.81.8.561
Kathryn S. Craven
KATHRYN S. CRAVEN is a Professor in the Department of Biology Georgia Southern University–Armstrong Campus, Savannah, GA 31419; e-mail: kcraven@georgiasouthern.edu.
  • Find this author on Google Scholar
  • Search for this author on this site
  • View author's works on this site
  • For correspondence: kcraven@georgiasouthern.edu
Alex Collier
ALEX COLLIER is a Professor in the Department of Biology Georgia Southern University–Armstrong Campus, Savannah, GA 31419; e-mail: acollier@georgiasouthern.edu.
  • Find this author on Google Scholar
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  • View author's works on this site
  • For correspondence: acollier@georgiasouthern.edu
Jay Y. S. Hodgson
JAY Y. S. HODGSON is an Associate Professor in the Department of Biology Georgia Southern University–Armstrong Campus, Savannah, GA 31419; e-mail: jhodgson@georgiasouthern.edu
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  • For correspondence: jhodgson@georgiasouthern.edu

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Spiders by Night: An Outdoor Investigation Integrating Next Generation Science Standards
Kathryn S. Craven, Alex Collier, Jay Y. S. Hodgson
The American Biology Teacher, Vol. 81 No. 8, October 2019; (pp. 561-567) DOI: 10.1525/abt.2019.81.8.561
Kathryn S. Craven
KATHRYN S. CRAVEN is a Professor in the Department of Biology Georgia Southern University–Armstrong Campus, Savannah, GA 31419; e-mail: kcraven@georgiasouthern.edu.
  • Find this author on Google Scholar
  • Search for this author on this site
  • View author's works on this site
  • For correspondence: kcraven@georgiasouthern.edu
Alex Collier
ALEX COLLIER is a Professor in the Department of Biology Georgia Southern University–Armstrong Campus, Savannah, GA 31419; e-mail: acollier@georgiasouthern.edu.
  • Find this author on Google Scholar
  • Search for this author on this site
  • View author's works on this site
  • For correspondence: acollier@georgiasouthern.edu
Jay Y. S. Hodgson
JAY Y. S. HODGSON is an Associate Professor in the Department of Biology Georgia Southern University–Armstrong Campus, Savannah, GA 31419; e-mail: jhodgson@georgiasouthern.edu
  • Find this author on Google Scholar
  • Search for this author on this site
  • View author's works on this site
  • For correspondence: jhodgson@georgiasouthern.edu
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  • Top
  • Article
    • Abstract
    • Introduction
    • Independent Inquiry Promotes Novel Research
    • Pilot Study
    • Student Feedback & Troubleshooting
    • What Might Your Students Investigate?
    • Considerations about Equipment, Supervision & Expectations
    • Assessment Strategies
    • Conclusions
    • References
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