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Where Did the Seals Go?

Basic Research Question 2: How does the location affect the number of seals observed?

Project Oceanology seal watch trips visit four different sites in Fishers Island Sound: West Clump, Middle Clump, East Clump, and Hungry Point.  The ‘clumps’ are small clusters of rocks exposed primarily at low tide in FishersIsland Sound. West Clump has the lowest rocks - it’s completely covered up at high tide - and it’s the most exposed to wind coming in from Long Island Sound.  Middle Clump has more rocks than West Clump, and is slightly more sheltered. East Clump is the smallest clump, and some of the rocks are very steep and hard for seals to haul out on. Hungry Point is by far the largest site, and the most sheltered.  It consists of many rocky clumps and a rocky peninsula that juts out from Fishers Island. 

For more details of these sites, make sure you have taken our Google Earth virtual tour.

Where did the seals go_basic2map.png

Map of Fishers Island Sound.  Project Oceanology is in blue; our seal watch locations are in orange.

Part A: Prediction and Reasoning

Write answers to the following prompts on your sheet of paper.

1. Make a prediction:  At which site would you expect to see the most seals?

2. Explain your reasoning:  WHY do you think we would see the most seals at that site?

Part B: Analyze the Data

Look at the dataset below.  On your piece of paper, illustrate the data by making a graph.  Your graph should have clear labels on both the x-axis and the y-axis.  The type of graph (scatterplot, column graph, etc) is up to you.

This table shows the mean number of seals we observed at each location, at different times of tide.  Each number is an average of many trips.  

Where did the seals go_basic2_table.png

 Part C: Interpret the Results and Make Arguments from Evidence

Write answers to the following prompts on your sheet of paper.

1. Make a claim that answers the research question (one sentence).

2. What evidence was used to write your claim?  Reference specific parts of your graph.

3. Explain your reasoning.   Make sure to connect your answer to what you have learned about seals and the locations.

4. Was your prediction supported by the results? Use evidence to explain why or why not.

5. Think back to our scenario at the beginning.  Can your results be used to explain why your friend saw several hundred seals, but you only saw 20?  Make a prediction about what might have been different between the trips.

6. How would you follow up?  Describe a new question that should be investigated to build on these results, and what future data should be collected to answer your question.

Congratulations! Your final analysis should include the following components:

  • Your answers to the two video questions

  • A statement of the research question that you chose/were assigned

  • Your prediction and your reasoning

  • Your labelled graph

  • Your answers to the results questions


Share your results with your teacher, and/or by emailing it to Project O: projecto@oceanology.org

Return to "Where Did the Seals Go" landing page

**Educators and/or homeschool parents: educator guides are available for all research projects. 
Email projecto@oceanology.org to request an educator guide**

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