Journey across the ocean
In this activity you will play “Bingo” to learn about whale migration patterns
Background
Scientists study whale and dolphin migration patterns to be able to understand and assess the impact of human activities to protect critical habitats, such as breeding grounds and feeding grounds, monitor ecosystem health, and understand the effects of climate change. Understanding where and when whales migrate is essential for effective management and conservation efforts.
To track these migration patterns, scientists often use satellite tagging, which allows them to learn about whale movements across the globe. One of the current satellite tagging projects is the MINTAG project. MINTAG aims to develop tags that can track large fast-swimming rorquals, and other whale species of interest—the main species being fin, minke, and pilot whales—throughout the year, providing comprehensive datasets on their geographic locations and their possible interactions with human activities.
Procedure
In this activity, you will play a bingo game with a twist. Instead of crossing off numbers, you will mark geographical points on a map.
Each point is identified by an ordered pair of coordinates, in the form of (X, Y). The first number (X) represents the x-coordinate, or longitude, while the second number (Y) represents the y-coordinate, or latitude. To graph a point, students will place a dot on the map where the coordinates intersect.
- Your teacher will give each of you a “bingo” card, which is a map showing a whale’s track (the maps in Handouts 1, 2, 3 and 4).
- The teacher will then call out coordinates. They will read the coordinates by their full name to get you used to it. For example: “79°N, 10°E” as “seventy-nine degrees north, ten degrees east”.
- You will have to find the called-out coordinate on their map. If the coordinate is on your map, you should circle it. If it is not, you should place a cross at the correct location.
- When you have circled all the coordinates on their map, call out “BINGO”. The teacher will then check your map to confirm that your bingo is correct.
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- Material to write
- “Bingo” cards (
Handout 1, 2, 3 and 4)
- Scissors
Coordinate randomiser



















































































































