Question
The Georgia Department of Natural Resources (DNR) needs to know the fish
population of a local pond. In order to estimate the population, the DNR needs to
catch a sample of the fish population in the pond. They have hired your team to
estimate the population. Your team needs to research different methods of catching
fish and determine which method would work best.
Part II- Research findings
Write 2- 3 WELL WRITTEN paragraphs describing what your found and how it
influenced your design. (include in your presentation)
Questions to Consider:
What is good and possibly not good about your design?
How did your research influence your design?
Your research should be evident in your writing. And writing must be well organized
and follow proper conventions.
Part III- Design Development
Once you have discussed with your team possible ideas, you will design and draw a
prototype of your method to catch fish.
Drawings should be clear, labeled and when possible include measurements. Try to
show your design from different angles.
Designs should reflect what you learned in your research.
Design should be creative
Part IV- Data Collection
Following provided instructions, complete the data collection. Follow each
step carefully. As a group you will only need to “turn in” 1 data collection
sheet. Turn in 1 paper copy BUT ALSO put a picture of it in your presentation.
Check all calculations and leave no blanks! SHOW YOUR WORK
Part V- Presentation
Use Google Slides or Canva to formulate a presentation to give to the DNR
explaining your process and design. Be sure to include any necessary
graphics, links, and of course your design.
Slides should be easily read, neat, organized and interesting. Double check to
make sure you have all of the necessary parts included.
Part V- Final Reflection-
You will use the final reflection to discuss your findings of this assignment.
Consider these discussion points:
Would your design work or not? Why or why not? Identify what specifically
would not work and discuss possible solutions. Explain how your changes
would help catch, count and release fish better. How could your design work
better in a real lake?
population of a local pond. In order to estimate the population, the DNR needs to
catch a sample of the fish population in the pond. They have hired your team to
estimate the population. Your team needs to research different methods of catching
fish and determine which method would work best.
Part II- Research findings
Write 2- 3 WELL WRITTEN paragraphs describing what your found and how it
influenced your design. (include in your presentation)
Questions to Consider:
What is good and possibly not good about your design?
How did your research influence your design?
Your research should be evident in your writing. And writing must be well organized
and follow proper conventions.
Part III- Design Development
Once you have discussed with your team possible ideas, you will design and draw a
prototype of your method to catch fish.
Drawings should be clear, labeled and when possible include measurements. Try to
show your design from different angles.
Designs should reflect what you learned in your research.
Design should be creative
Part IV- Data Collection
Following provided instructions, complete the data collection. Follow each
step carefully. As a group you will only need to “turn in” 1 data collection
sheet. Turn in 1 paper copy BUT ALSO put a picture of it in your presentation.
Check all calculations and leave no blanks! SHOW YOUR WORK
Part V- Presentation
Use Google Slides or Canva to formulate a presentation to give to the DNR
explaining your process and design. Be sure to include any necessary
graphics, links, and of course your design.
Slides should be easily read, neat, organized and interesting. Double check to
make sure you have all of the necessary parts included.
Part V- Final Reflection-
You will use the final reflection to discuss your findings of this assignment.
Consider these discussion points:
Would your design work or not? Why or why not? Identify what specifically
would not work and discuss possible solutions. Explain how your changes
would help catch, count and release fish better. How could your design work
better in a real lake?
Answers
GPT-4o mini
**Part II - Research Findings**
In researching various fish-catching methods, my team found that different techniques have distinct advantages and disadvantages regarding efficiency, safety, and environmental impact. Some common methods include netting, trapping, and electrofishing. For instance, electrofishing is effective for quickly assessing fish populations, but it may harm sensitive species and disrupt the aquatic environment. Conversely, techniques like baited traps pose a lower risk to non-target species and can be quite effective at capturing specific demographic groups within the pond. However, baited traps may require more time and effort to set up and monitor, potentially limiting the amount of data we can collect in a short timeframe. After evaluating these trade-offs, our design leaned towards a method that combines the efficiency of netting with the sustainability of baited traps, allowing for a more comprehensive assessment of the fish population while minimizing harm to the ecosystem.
The research significantly influenced our design by emphasizing the importance of maintaining ecological integrity throughout the data collection process. We decided to utilize a series of foldable fish nets that could be easily deployed at strategic locations around the pond. This method allows for effective sampling while reducing the chance of capturing non-target species or causing undue stress to the fish population. Additionally, our net design incorporates selective sizing to accommodate different fish sizes, thereby enabling us to collect representative samples from various demographic groups efficiently. By integrating insights gleaned from the literature and expert recommendations, we aimed to develop a fish-catching method that balances efficiency with ecological responsibility, ultimately benefiting the DNR's assessment goals.
**Part III - Design Development**
For our fish-catching design, we created a prototype based on the combination of netting and trapping techniques. The design consists of several foldable fish nets, each measuring 2 meters in length and 1 meter in height, with a mesh size appropriate to capture fish while allowing smaller non-target species to escape. The nets feature weighted bottoms to ensure they lie flat on the pond bed and are anchored with hooks at each end to maintain their position. After securing the nets, we will bait them with a selection of fish attractants such as corn or fish pellets, strategically placing them along likely fish paths and near underwater structures where fish tend to congregate.
The design also includes a collection bucket, measuring 1 meter in diameter and 1.5 meters in height, which will serve as a holding area for captured fish prior to their release. This bucket features slotted drainage to ensure fish maintain a healthy environment until they are counted and released back into the pond. Each net is equipped with marking flags, labeled with unique identifiers, allowing us to keep track of where each net is located and facilitate effective data collection. This design will efficiently enable sampling with minimal ecological disruption, facilitating accurate population estimates for the DNR.
**Part IV - Data Collection**
[Here, a data collection sheet would be attached, with detailed instructions followed and calculations provided. A picture of this sheet would also be included in the presentation.]
**Part V - Presentation**
In our presentation to the Georgia Department of Natural Resources, we'll outline our research process, emphasize our design's ecological sustainability, and show detailed graphics of our prototype, including images of the various angles and dimensions of our nets and collection bucket. Our slides will be organized, visually engaging, and informative, ensuring the DNR can fully grasp our methodology and its implications for accurate fish population assessment. We will include relevant links to our sources and any research studies that support our choices.
**Part V - Final Reflection**
Upon reflecting on our design, we believe it will work effectively due to its combination of netting and trapping methods while minimizing disruption to the fish population. However, potential challenges include the possibility of nets becoming tangled or failing to capture certain species. Addressing these issues may involve utilizing floating buoys on nets to prevent tangling and incorporating a wider variety of bait to attract more diverse fish species. Additionally, to enhance the design's effectiveness in a real lake setting, we could increase the number of nets and ensure that they are distributed in diverse habitats. Such adjustments would facilitate capturing a more comprehensive range of species, leading to a more accurate population assessment for the DNR.
In researching various fish-catching methods, my team found that different techniques have distinct advantages and disadvantages regarding efficiency, safety, and environmental impact. Some common methods include netting, trapping, and electrofishing. For instance, electrofishing is effective for quickly assessing fish populations, but it may harm sensitive species and disrupt the aquatic environment. Conversely, techniques like baited traps pose a lower risk to non-target species and can be quite effective at capturing specific demographic groups within the pond. However, baited traps may require more time and effort to set up and monitor, potentially limiting the amount of data we can collect in a short timeframe. After evaluating these trade-offs, our design leaned towards a method that combines the efficiency of netting with the sustainability of baited traps, allowing for a more comprehensive assessment of the fish population while minimizing harm to the ecosystem.
The research significantly influenced our design by emphasizing the importance of maintaining ecological integrity throughout the data collection process. We decided to utilize a series of foldable fish nets that could be easily deployed at strategic locations around the pond. This method allows for effective sampling while reducing the chance of capturing non-target species or causing undue stress to the fish population. Additionally, our net design incorporates selective sizing to accommodate different fish sizes, thereby enabling us to collect representative samples from various demographic groups efficiently. By integrating insights gleaned from the literature and expert recommendations, we aimed to develop a fish-catching method that balances efficiency with ecological responsibility, ultimately benefiting the DNR's assessment goals.
**Part III - Design Development**
For our fish-catching design, we created a prototype based on the combination of netting and trapping techniques. The design consists of several foldable fish nets, each measuring 2 meters in length and 1 meter in height, with a mesh size appropriate to capture fish while allowing smaller non-target species to escape. The nets feature weighted bottoms to ensure they lie flat on the pond bed and are anchored with hooks at each end to maintain their position. After securing the nets, we will bait them with a selection of fish attractants such as corn or fish pellets, strategically placing them along likely fish paths and near underwater structures where fish tend to congregate.
The design also includes a collection bucket, measuring 1 meter in diameter and 1.5 meters in height, which will serve as a holding area for captured fish prior to their release. This bucket features slotted drainage to ensure fish maintain a healthy environment until they are counted and released back into the pond. Each net is equipped with marking flags, labeled with unique identifiers, allowing us to keep track of where each net is located and facilitate effective data collection. This design will efficiently enable sampling with minimal ecological disruption, facilitating accurate population estimates for the DNR.
**Part IV - Data Collection**
[Here, a data collection sheet would be attached, with detailed instructions followed and calculations provided. A picture of this sheet would also be included in the presentation.]
**Part V - Presentation**
In our presentation to the Georgia Department of Natural Resources, we'll outline our research process, emphasize our design's ecological sustainability, and show detailed graphics of our prototype, including images of the various angles and dimensions of our nets and collection bucket. Our slides will be organized, visually engaging, and informative, ensuring the DNR can fully grasp our methodology and its implications for accurate fish population assessment. We will include relevant links to our sources and any research studies that support our choices.
**Part V - Final Reflection**
Upon reflecting on our design, we believe it will work effectively due to its combination of netting and trapping methods while minimizing disruption to the fish population. However, potential challenges include the possibility of nets becoming tangled or failing to capture certain species. Addressing these issues may involve utilizing floating buoys on nets to prevent tangling and incorporating a wider variety of bait to attract more diverse fish species. Additionally, to enhance the design's effectiveness in a real lake setting, we could increase the number of nets and ensure that they are distributed in diverse habitats. Such adjustments would facilitate capturing a more comprehensive range of species, leading to a more accurate population assessment for the DNR.